Tom Cruise’s New Movie Digger: Latest Updates

Tom Cruise’s upcoming film Digger has officially put an end to speculation that it could secretly be a musical.

With the film scheduled to arrive in theaters on October 2, speculation that Digger might contain an unexpected musical element has gained traction across social media. The theory was largely sparked by the movie’s final trailer, where Cruise appears to stand on a rotating platform, a setup commonly associated with stage productions. Some viewers also noticed background performers with their mouths open, leading to speculation that they could be singing.

However, two sources familiar with the production have told Variety that Digger is not a musical. According to the report, those close to the film were reportedly amused by the online theory suggesting that the movie was secretly part of the musical genre.

Although this appears to settle the speculation, keeping a film’s musical elements largely hidden during marketing is not unprecedented. Recent examples include Timothée Chalamet and Paul King’s Wonka and the 2024 film Mean Girls, whose respective marketing campaigns did not heavily emphasize their musical sequences. The strategy worked particularly well for Wonka, which earned $634.5 million worldwide on a reported $125 million budget.

Considering how dramatically Digger differs from many of Cruise’s previous projects, the musical theory was not entirely difficult to imagine. Instead of another action spectacle centered on Cruise performing dangerous stunts or a straightforward dramatic role, the film is described as a satirical dark comedy. Cruise also undergoes a significant physical transformation for the role, appearing almost unrecognizable with thinning gray hair and a prominent gut. The trailers have shown his character dancing with a shovel, bathing his cat in a sink, and delivering dramatic declarations.

Cruise is no stranger to musical films. He previously portrayed rock star Stacee Jaxx in 2012’s Rock of Ages. However, that was a supporting role, whereas Cruise takes center stage as the protagonist of Digger. Had the musical theory been true, his leading role would presumably have required considerably more singing.

Even without a surprise genre change, Digger has already generated considerable attention. The film has appeared in early predictions for the 2027 Academy Awards’ Best Picture race, while Cruise has also been tipped as a potential Best Actor nominee. Much of the interest comes from Cruise’s unusual appearance and performance, as well as the involvement of director Alejandro G. Iñárritu. The filmmaker previously directed Oscar-winning films including Birdman, The Revenant, and Babel. Digger marks the first collaboration between Iñárritu and Cruise.

In Digger, Cruise plays oil tycoon Digger Rockwell, whose drilling operation sets off a global catastrophe. As the situation escalates, Rockwell must find a way to save the world before it is too late. Along the way, he comes under pressure from President Compson, played by John Goodman, while also dealing with scientist Ganesh, portrayed by Riz Ahmed, and his sister Emma Rockwell, played by Sandra Hüller.

The cast also includes Jesse Plemons, Emma D’Arcy, Michael Stuhlbarg, Burn Gorman, Robert John Burke, Sophie Wilde, Pip Torrens, Mercedes Hernández, and Danny Kirrane.