Despite all the high-flying action roles, intricate stunt work, and engaging characters Tom Cruise has tackled in his decades-long career, the actor says that his upcoming role in Digger could be his biggest challenge to date.
The satirical comedy, directed by acclaimed Mexican filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu, sees Cruise play an eccentric and elderly oil tycoon called Digger Rockwell in a disaster movie of epic proportions. With heavy prosthetics and a delicate paunch, it's a transformative role for the Mission: Impossible star.
“There's nothing better than to physically and metaphorically stand on the edge of a cliff and go, ‘Let's do this,’” says Cruise, chatting to a group of international journalists – including GamesRadar+ – about working with Iñárritu. "I trust you, and whatever we're going to do, I know this is going to be a hell of an experience. Let's come together and let's do it. Let's all do it."
The Top Gun actor is thoughtful, excited and contemplative as he talks at a trailer launch event on the Warner Bros. Studios lot in Burbank, California. "I have never had something that could challenge me in this way," he explains. "And neither has Alejandro when we went in – ever. When you see this film, it's totally original."
If you've seen the Digger trailer, you'll know the story is about an environmental emergency that could lead to catastrophic destruction on a global scale – and the colorful vocabulary of the lead character seems to be rubbing off on Cruise.
"The director sets the frame and the lenses and the lighting," he says. "It's really my favorite thing. Alejandro, he shows me… He's like, 'I want you to look like this.' I'm thinking, 'This guy's got f*cking balls.' And I'm like, ‘I can't wait. Let's go.'"
In tackling the titular role in Digger, Cruise considered his past projects in depth: "When we're looking for characters, we're looking for humor, drama, certain constructs… How do we communicate this? Whether it's Les Grossman [in Tropic Thunder] or Interview With The Vampire, Collateral or Risky Business, I'm always asking, 'How do I communicate this?' The physicality, the makeup… That is stuff that you find as you are learning how to communicate."
The actor's enthusiasm steps up a beat as he continues to explain the development of the character of Digger Rockwell: "You really have to understand the tools. It's not one size fits all. You have to find the communication, the lenses, the color of the makeup. The level of detail of making a film like this is... [What is the] color of the cowboy boots? What are my shorts like? The sets, the color of the sets? They're beautiful on every single level, and it's all very... You look at the taste of this man. It's very special."
During the event, which was held inside the plush Steven J. Ross Theater, Cruise went on to talk about his commitment to cinema and his love of watching movies amongst film fans. "First of all, I am the audience," he tells us. "I love movies. I love all kinds of movies. I love going to opening weekend. I like being there with an audience."
With a broad smile beaming across his face, he continues: "I want people to be immersed in the movie, so whatever it takes to tell that story. And it takes all of us. Making movies is a beautiful thing because it's all of us together. Really, it is very special."
Alongside Cruise, the cast of Digger includes Riz Ahmed, Sandra Hüller, Jesse Plemons, John Goodman, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Emma D’Arcy.
Digger releases in theaters on October 2. For now, check out our guide to all the other most exciting upcoming movies.
