Warner Bros. has dropped the first trailer for Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s new political satire Digger, which stars a remarkably transformed Tom Cruise in the title role.
There’s already been a long road to the release of this trailer, with teasing images, bite-sized clips and social media outreach from Cruise over the last year or so.
Now, we have our first look at the veteran actor’s Oscar tilt.
What is ‘Digger’ about?
Anyone who remembers Cruise’s scene-stealing Les Grossman in Tropic Thunder will see familiar traits in Digger Rockwell.
Rockwell is Cruise under serious make-up and costume to become an elderly, fat, Southern-talking, hooting and hollering oil baron.
But here’s the rub: his mighty-sized ego sets off a global warming catastrophe that spells doom for planet Earth and the human race.
As the official synopsis puts it: “The most powerful man in the world embarks on a frantic mission to prove he is humanity’s saviour before the disaster he’s unleashed destroys everything.”
Digger Rockwell also holds a powerful presence within the American government, alongside John Goodman’s ageing President.
Sound familiar?
It’s safe to say that Iñárritu is taking a not-so-subtle swipe at the current establishment, with a quirky, comedically astute performance from Cruise at its centre.
Is Cruise making an Oscar push?
After decades of fronting the Mission: Impossible franchise as Ethan Hunt, and reviving cinema in Top Gun: Maverick, Digger is Cruise signalling dramatic (and comedic) intent.
Is this Hollywood’s biggest icon making an Oscars push?
You bet your arse it is!
Last November, Cruise received an honorary Oscar at the annual Governors Awards in Hollywood.
He was presented the award by Iñárritu, who said: “This may be his [Cruise’s] first Oscar, but from what I have seen and experienced, it won’t be the last.”
If there was ever a louder statement of intent, we’re yet to see it.
Digger looks like an all-around Oscar tilt, given the ensemble cast and the creatives behind it.
Iñárritu himself has four Oscars already, twice in directing for Birdman and The Revenant, with the former earning him statuettes for screenwriting and best picture.
Cinematography has been led by three-time Oscar winner (Gravity, Birdman, The Revenant) Emmanuel Lubezki with an all-star cast captured through the lens.
Joining Cruise and Goodman are Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal), Emma D’Arcy (House of the Dragon), Sandra Hüller (Project Hail Mary) and Jesse Plemons (Bugonia).
Digger is out in cinemas on 2 October, 2026.
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