Untitled Alejandro G. Iñárritu Film: Digger (2026) with Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise has spent decades as Hollywood’s unflappable action hero, but the actor’s next project suggests he’s hungry for something darker. The star is reuniting with director Alejandro G. Iñárritu for Digger, a satirical black comedy that marks Iñárritu’s first English-language film since The Revenant (2015). Set to debut October 2, 2026, the project pairs two artists who once tackled Oscar-worthy ambition together — now pivoting toward something stranger.

Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu · Lead Star: Tom Cruise · Co-Star: Riz Ahmed · Genre: Satirical black comedy · Release Date: October 2, 2026

The key facts table below consolidates verified production details for Digger.

What is Digger 2026 about?

Core storyline

Digger follows Digger Rockwell, the most powerful man in the world, who finds himself racing against time after unleashing a global catastrophe. His frantic mission: prove he can save humanity from the disaster he created — before it destroys everything. The setup positions the film as both a psychological thriller and a pointed satire on power, ego, and redemption.

According to Numéro (film and culture publication), the film operates in the tradition of dark political satire — the kind where the hero’s sense of self-importance is the first thing the narrative dismantles. Iñárritu, who co-wrote the script with Sabina Berman, Alexander Dinelaris Jr., and Nicolás Giacobone, appears interested in holding a mirror to authority rather than celebrating it.

Themes and satire

The film blends satirical black comedy with psychological thriller elements, targeting themes of power, ego, and the illusion of control. Iñárritu’s previous work — particularly Birdman, which won Best Picture in 2015 — demonstrated his appetite for deconstructing artistic ego. Digger appears to transpose that impulse onto a geopolitical canvas.

The script, reportedly co-written in 2023, arrived at an inflection point in Cruise’s own career trajectory. By December 2024, Cruise had formally announced his deal with Warner Bros. Discovery — and Digger became the first project under that partnership to be confirmed publicly, according to Movie Insider (entertainment release tracker).

Iñárritu isn’t just making a Cruise vehicle. He’s directing a film that treats the star’s mythology as raw material.

What is Tom Cruise’s new movie in 2026?

Cruise’s role

Tom Cruise stars as Digger Rockwell — a character whose name suggests something primitive, almost grubbing, beneath the surface of power. The role marks Cruise’s return to Warner Bros. after years with Paramount and Mission: Impossible. His deal with Warner Bros. Discovery was announced December 14, 2024, and Digger is his first confirmed project under that new arrangement, per Movie Insider.

Cruise also serves as producer on the film alongside Iñárritu. In April 2026, he appeared at CinemaCon to share a sneak peek of the project, telling audiences: “Today, my dear friend Alejandro G. Iñárritu and I had a blast sharing our sneak peek of DIGGER. 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!” according to NewKerala (entertainment news outlet).

Collaboration with Iñárritu

This marks Cruise and Iñárritu’s first collaboration since Birdman (2014), where Cruise appeared in a cameo as a self-important actor. That small role — a nod to the industry’s obsession with awards — has quietly evolved into a full partnership. The duo announced the project in February 2024 as Iñárritu’s first English-language film since The Revenant in 2015, per Wikipedia (collaborative knowledge base).

What this signals: Iñárritu’s return to English-language storytelling after a decade of Spanish-language projects, and Cruise’s willingness to subordinate his action-star persona to a director known for psychological intensity and formal experimentation.

What is Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu movie 2026?

Project details

Digger is a co-production between Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, spanning the United States, United Kingdom, and Mexico, as documented by Wikipedia. The film was announced in February 2024 under a working title, with the official title Digger revealed later — confirmed via a title announcement trailer on YouTube.

The writing team brings Iñárritu together with collaborators from Birdman: Alexander Dinelaris Jr. and Nicolás Giacobone, who shared the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for that film. Sabina Berman, a playwright and screenwriter, rounds out the group. The result positions Digger as a craft-focused project rather than a commercial calculation.

Previous films

Iñárritu’s last English-language feature was The Revenant (2015), which earned Leonardo DiCaprio an Oscar and Iñárritu his second consecutive Best Director win. That film’s grueling production — famously shot in remote Canadian wilderness — set a benchmark for physical commitment in award-calibre cinema.

Between The Revenant and Digger, Iñárritu directed Babel (2006), 21 Grams (2003), and Amores Perros (2000), building a reputation for interwoven narratives and formal risk-taking. Digger appears to return him to that mode while adding a comedic register absent since Birdman.

“2026 has already kicked off on a strong note for the film industry.”

— Tom Cruise, Actor/Producer, at CinemaCon April 2026 (NewKerala)

Where is Digger being filmed?

Current shooting locations

Principal photography began in November 2024 in the United Kingdom, according to Numéro (film and culture publication). Production ran for approximately six months in the UK, with filming completing by December 22, 2025, as documented by Movie Insider.

One minor disruption occurred in March 2025, when production paused briefly due to a minor injury to John Goodman, per Numéro. Filming resumed without significant delay, and the project entered post-production on schedule.

Production timeline

The full arc from announcement to release spans roughly two and a half years. February 2024 brought the initial announcement, with Cruise cast after meeting Iñárritu. By August 2024, additional cast members were confirmed, including Sandra Hüller, John Goodman, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons, and Sophie Wilde. Riz Ahmed was in negotiations during this period. Early 2025 saw Emma D’Arcy, Robert John Burke, and Burn Gorman join the production.

As of December 2025, the film is in post-production. A teaser and title announcement trailer have been released, with a full reveal expected ahead of the October 2026 release.

Iñárritu runs a disciplined production — no announced delays, no reshoots rumors, no budget leaks. That operational control mirrors the control his characters often crave — and often lose.

What is the cast of untitled Alejandro G. Iñárritu film?

Main cast

The ensemble brings together established dramatic actors across multiple career stages. Tom Cruise leads as Digger Rockwell. Riz Ahmed plays the President’s assistant — a role that puts him in close proximity to Cruise’s character throughout the film. John Goodman, cast in August 2024, portrays the President of the United States, per Wikipedia.

The casting signals Iñárritu’s preference for character actors over pure commercial calculation. Jesse Plemons, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Sophie Wilde all bring critical acclaim — particularly Hüller, whose performances in Toni Erdmann and Anatomy of a Fall established her as one of the most respected European actors working today.

Supporting roles

Additional cast members include Emma D’Arcy (joined early 2025), Robert John Burke, Burn Gorman, and Pip Torrens. Emma D’Arcy’s involvement adds a rising talent to the ensemble, following their breakout work in House of the Dragon.

What this ensemble suggests: Iñárritu is less interested in spectacle than in the friction between strong personalities. Cruise, Ahmed, Goodman, and Hüller each carry distinct screen identities — putting them in the same frame is the film’s quietest commercial argument.

Digger marks Tom Cruise’s 50th film project , pairing his action stardom with Iñárritu’s satirical vision and Riz Ahmed.

Frequently asked questions

What happens next is straightforward: Warner Bros. rolls out the marketing campaign, releases the full trailer, and lets the press tour do its work. For Iñárritu, Digger represents a rare luxury — an auteur project inside a major studio structure, with a star willing to be deconstructed. Whether that tension produces a classic or a misfire, it’ll be worth watching.