Tom Cruise appears as an ageing Southern oil tycoon in the first trailer for “Digger,” director Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s upcoming comedy, according to parade.com.
The teaser, released June 23, shows Cruise with grey hair, wrinkles, a heavy belly and a Southern drawl, playing billionaire Digger Rockwell.
The trailer was shared by Cruise on X at the end of a video montage of his previous roles. The “Digger” footage begins at the 2:30 mark. It concludes with a scene showing the character significantly aged, making the actor difficult to identify.
In the film, Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, the billionaire executive of a major company responsible for a methane leak that threatens to displace millions of people.
John Goodman co-stars as the President of the United States. The cast also includes Sandra Huller, Jesse Plemons, Riz Ahmed, Michael Stuhlbarg, Sophie Wilde and Emma D’Arcy.
Iñárritu, who directed Birdman and The Revenant, said he was unprepared for Cruise’s transformation. He told audiences that while Cruise is known for fearless stunt work, “embodying this character… is another kind of fearless” and could be the actor’s “most challenging, high-wire act.”
Speaking at CinemaCon in April, Cruise addressed cinema owners and studios, thanking them for their work and noting the 2026 box office was up 23% so far. “I’m here for you, and I love you,” he said.
Cruise posted on X that he was eager to share the film, scheduled for release in October. “We cannot wait to share this film with the world in October and to be part of what is going to be such a special year at the movies,” he said.
“Digger” is Cruise’s first collaboration with Iñárritu, an Academy Award-winning director. The role represents a departure for Cruise, who is known for action franchises including Top Gun and Mission: Impossible.
•Featured image: Tom Cruise/Lisa O’Connor AFP/Getty Images