Tom Cruise brought his new film Digger to London’s Leicester Square on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, for a world premiere that mixed Hollywood star power with British royalty. Prince William and Princess Catherine attended the event as this year’s Royal Film Performance. The film, directed by Oscar winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu, opens in cinemas internationally from September 30 and in the United States and United Kingdom on October 2.
Cruise, who plays oil tycoon Digger Rockwell, told Reuters at the premiere that his character is unlike anything he has played before.
“He’s the kind of character that says things that some people think, some people can’t imagine thinking. I’ve never read a character like it. I’ve never read a film like this.”
A Royal Night in Leicester Square
The premiere took place at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square and served as the Royal Film Performance, raising funds for The Film and TV Charity. A black carpet replaced the traditional red one, with the venue decorated with an Arctic Ocean-themed backdrop, the character’s shovel and images of Cruise in his role.
Prince William wore a black velvet jacket, and Cruise complimented him with a simple “great jacket” as they greeted each other. Princess Catherine wore a purple floor-length Jenny Packham dress and accessorised with pearl drop earrings that once belonged to Princess Diana, along with the late Queen Mother’s amethyst necklace.
Cruise was seen helping Catherine down the stairs as they entered the cinema together. The actor has known the royal couple for years and also attended Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997.
Other famous faces at the premiere included David Beckham with his sons Romeo and Cruz, as well as Salma Hayek and Jodie Turner-Smith.
Tom Cruise on His Digger Character
Cruise described the physical transformation into Rockwell as a major task. The actor wore grey hair, facial prosthetics and a padded bodysuit to play the eccentric oil tycoon. The makeup process originally took six hours, but Cruise worked with the team to bring it down to under one hour.
The hardest part of the role, however, was not the makeup. Cruise pointed to a 10-minute monologue filmed in a single take as one of the biggest acting challenges of his career.
Sandra Hüller, who plays Digger’s half-sister and business partner Emma Rockwell, said it was “remarkable” watching Cruise’s performance. “It feels like all the things that he has learned in 46 years of acting have come into this character,” she said.
Director Alejandro G. Iñárritu compared making Digger to painting, saying every frame was carefully crafted. Emma D’Arcy, who stars in the film, said working with the Mexican filmmaker felt like being part of an orchestra led by a conductor.
The Story Behind Digger
Digger follows Digger Rockwell, described as the most powerful man in the world. After one of his oil rigs malfunctions and causes an environmental catastrophe, he embarks on a frantic mission to prove he is humanity’s saviour before the disaster he triggered destroys everything. The crisis pushes the world to the brink of nuclear war.
The film was shot entirely in VistaVision, a widescreen 35mm film format introduced by Paramount Pictures in 1954. Cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, a three-time Oscar winner, worked with Iñárritu on the project.
Cruise described the story as an exploration of “power and greed… responsibility and irresponsibility”. Sophie Wilde said it also carries a message about art being “a vessel for catharsis”.
Critics Are Split on Digger
First reactions to the film have been sharply divided. Some critics praised Cruise’s performance and the film’s ambition, while others found its satire muddled and its tone abrasive.
“This is Tom Cruise’s most dynamic and interesting role in years,” wrote Next Best Picture founder Matt Neglia, though he added that Iñárritu’s narrative was “imbalanced in favor of its zany but empty theatrics”.
IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill was more positive, calling it “one of the most visually inventive, conceptually audacious, and unpredictable studio movies ever made” and said it showcases “Tom Cruise’s best performance since Magnolia”.
Awards Radar’s Joey Magidson called the movie “a mess,” claiming “not a whole lot works here” and “this wasn’t enjoyable”. Critic Edward Douglas said he “cannot say that Digger is very good” and predicted a “horrendous” audience score.
Variety’s Clayton Davis said: “I respect the swing and what Alejandro González Iñárritu is going for… Shocker! The divide on this one is going to be wide”.
The Cast and Crew
Digger features an ensemble cast that includes:
- Tom Cruise as Digger Rockwell
- Riz Ahmed as Ganesh, a scientist and assistant to the president
- John Goodman as the President of the United States
- Sandra Hüller as Emma Rockwell, Digger’s half-sister
- Michael Stuhlbarg as the Vice President
- Jesse Plemons as Kenny
- Emma D’Arcy
- Sophie Wilde
- Burn Gorman
- Robert John Burke
The film is co-written and directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, known for Birdman and The Revenant. The official runtime is 2 hours and 8 minutes. The reported budget is around $125 million.
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When and Where to Watch Digger
Digger begins its global cinematic rollout on September 30, 2026, in international markets including France and Belgium. Germany and New Zealand get the film on October 1.
The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and India will see the film in cinemas and IMAX on October 2, 2026. In India, the film will clash with Drishyam 3, starring Ajay Devgn and Tabu.
Warner Bros. Pictures is distributing the film. A streaming release date has not been announced. Since Warner Bros. owns HBO Max, that platform is expected to be the film’s eventual streaming home after its theatrical and premium video-on-demand windows.
Also Read: Tom Cruise Speaks Out on AI in Film, Says Audiences Want Real Things on Screen
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