Tom Cruise’s New $125M Movie Can Finally End a 27-Year Streak (& It Could Be a Huge Career First)

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Tom Cruise’s upcoming film could break a nearly 30-year pattern, but it still carries some uncertainty. Many moviegoers likely associate Tom Cruise with big-budget action films, and his recent successes – like the Mission: Impossible series and Top Gun: Maverick – certainly fit that mold. In fact, going back to 2012’s Jack Reacher, most of Cruise’s films, both successful and unsuccessful – including The Mummy, Oblivion, American Made, and Edge of Tomorrow – have primarily been action-focused.

However, 2026’s upcoming satirical comedy Digger is set to change this lengthy trend. Produced by Cruise and directed by The Revenant’s Alejandro González Iñárritu, Digger is a black comedy starring Cruise, Jesse Plemons, Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sophie Wilde, and Sandra Hüller. Not a lot is known about the $125 million beyond its sparse synopsis, which claims that Digger tells the story of the world’s most powerful man trying to prove that he can save humanity before a disaster that he inadvertently caused ruins the world. This apocalyptic scale seemingly justifies the movie’s big price tag.

Digger Could Get Tom Cruise His First Oscar Nomination Since 2000

Despite the potential for explosive action, Digger won’t be an action movie. It’s shaping up to be more like Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Birdman, a funny and critical story about a flawed, wealthy character grappling with their past. While the involvement of John Goodman as the US President and Riz Ahmed as his assistant suggests a large-scale story, the film will primarily focus on Tom Cruise’s character, even with its broad ambitions.

Tom Cruise hasn’t received an acting Oscar nomination since 2000, when he was recognized for his role in Magnolia. While Top Gun: Maverick earned a Best Picture nomination in 2022, Cruise himself wasn’t nominated for his performance. He previously received Best Actor nominations for Jerry Maguire and Born on the Fourth of July in 1997 and 1990, but didn’t win. Now, his work in Digger could finally earn him the award, and would be his first win after a career lasting over fifty years.

Digger’s Big Budget Black Comedy Can Reintroduce Tom Cruise’s Dramatic Side

With his new film, Digger, Tom Cruise has a great opportunity to connect with a new audience and showcase his skills as a serious dramatic actor. While he’s become widely known for action roles, especially in the Mission: Impossible films, his powerful performance in Oliver Stone’s Born on the Fourth of July demonstrates his impressive range and ability to deliver moving dramatic performances.

Tom Cruise quickly established himself as a talented actor in films like The Color of Money, Rain Man, A Few Good Men, and Eyes Wide Shut. Over time, though, he appeared in fewer dramatic roles and became known primarily for his action movies. So, even if his performance in Digger doesn’t earn him an Oscar, just being nominated would remind audiences of his skills as a serious actor.

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2026-04-20 21:40