Tom Cruise Is Unrecognizable in First ‘Digger’ Trailer: See His Wild Transformation
The 64-year-old action star steps away from blockbuster franchises to play an eccentric oil magnate in Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s upcoming film.
Tom Cruise is officially trading his death-defying stunts for a jaw-dropping character transformation in the first trailer for Digger, directed by Oscar-winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu, who helmed The Revenant and Birdman.
Warner Bros. recently debuted the highly anticipated teaser footage, which offers fans a first look at a virtually unrecognizable Cruise, 64, taking on a role unlike anything he has tackled in decades. In the upcoming film, Cruise portrays Digger Rockwell, an eccentric oil magnate whose reckless corporate decisions push the planet to the edge of absolute ruin.
The tension-filled trailer, scored to “Burning Down The House” by Talking Heads, opens with the balding, jowly Rockwell obsessing over his sick cat before suddenly exploding at an employee who dares to suggest shutting down one of his massive projects. It’s then revealed that his business venture could trigger an astronomical $18 trillion global disaster, setting the stage for a chaotic race against time.
The official synopsis released by Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures puts it this way: “The most powerful man in the world embarks on a frantic mission to prove he is humanity’s savior before the disaster he’s unleashed destroys everything.” Cruise co-stars with Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Jesse Plemons.
It didn’t take long for fans on social media to lose their minds over Cruise’s dramatic physical transformation, which many are comparing to his follically-challenged turn as odious movie producer Les Grossman in 2008’s classic comedy Tropic Thunder. “Respect for the glow down king,” one user posted on X. “DIGGER looks hilarious already.” Another user opined, “Can’t get over the way you look. Les Grossman vibe, I bet you had a blast making this film, you are just so amazing!”
Digger marks a significant career pivot for Cruise. It’s his first major starring role outside of the multi-billion-dollar Top Gun and Mission: Impossible franchises in years. During a recent Q&A event in Los Angeles, Cruise opened up about his surprising creative partnership with Iñárritu. “I have never had something that could challenge me in this way and neither has Alejandro when we went in, ever. And when you see this film, it’s totally original,” Cruise told People.
Digger is slated to hit theaters on October 2. Watch the trailer below.