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‘Digger’ Star Tom Cruise Stops by ‘The Tonight Show’ Ahead of His Dramatic Reinvention in ‘Digger’

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Tom Cruise has spent the better part of two decades locked into franchise filmmaking, bouncing between ‘Mission: Impossible’ installments and the occasional ‘Top Gun’ sequel with almost clockwork regularity. Now that ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ has officially wrapped that chapter of his career, at least for the foreseeable future, fans have been watching closely to see what direction he takes next.

That next chapter is shaping up to be a genuine departure from the action-hero persona that’s defined most of his recent output. Cruise has been quietly building out a slate that leans far more into character-driven drama, working with filmmakers known for pushing actors into unfamiliar creative territory rather than simply choreographing another stunt sequence.

That shift was on full display this week when Tom Cruise appeared as the lead guest on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,’ photographed backstage alongside fellow guest Lili Reinhart ahead of Thursday’s episode taping. During the appearance, Cruise and Fallon shared popcorn while watching a clip together and squared off in a claw machine challenge, giving the actor a lighthearted platform just weeks before his next film hits theaters.

That upcoming release, ‘Digger,’ marks Cruise’s first collaboration with four-time Academy Award-winning director Alejandro González Iñárritu, and it represents one of the more unexpected creative pairings of his career. The film is set to premiere on October 2, having taken over the release date originally reserved for ‘The Batman: Part II’ after that project shifted to 2027.

In ‘Digger,’ Cruise plays the title character, Digger Rockwell, described as the most powerful man in the world who causes a disaster before embarking on a mission to prove himself the savior of humanity. Iñárritu co-wrote the screenplay alongside Alexander Dinelaris, Sabina Berman, and Nicolas Giacobone, assembling a supporting cast that includes Jesse Plemons, Sandra Hüller, Emma D’Arcy, John Goodman, and Riz Ahmed.

That ensemble alone signals just how far Cruise is stepping outside his usual comfort zone, surrounding himself with performers more commonly associated with prestige dramas than tentpole action films. Warner Bros. has marketed the project with the tagline “a comedy of catastrophic proportions,” suggesting a tonal register that differs sharply from the high-stakes espionage thrillers that have defined most of Cruise’s recent filmography.

Industry observers have noted the role echoes some of Cruise’s earlier, more dramatically ambitious work, drawing comparisons to his performances in Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ and Neil Jordan’s ‘Interview with the Vampire.’ At 63, Cruise appears intent on proving he can still deliver a genuinely introspective performance rather than simply relying on the physically demanding action work that’s defined his brand for so long.

Despite this dramatic pivot, Cruise isn’t abandoning franchise filmmaking entirely. Paramount is officially moving forward on a ‘Days of Thunder’ sequel, with Cruise attached to both star and produce alongside longtime collaborator Jerry Bruckheimer, and Jonathan Levine currently in negotiations to direct.

Reports also suggest Cruise remains attached to several other high-profile projects still working their way through development, including a war drama titled ‘Broadsword’ alongside Marion Cotillard and Henry Cavill, and an action remake called ‘The Gauntlet’ co-starring Scarlett Johansson. That combination of prestige drama and continued franchise commitments suggests Cruise has no intention of slowing down anytime soon, even as he experiments with material well outside his usual wheelhouse.

With ‘Digger’ arriving in theaters in just a couple of weeks, this week’s ‘Tonight Show’ appearance offered fans an early, lighthearted glimpse of Cruise ahead of what could end up being one of the more surprising performances of his career. Given how much anticipation Iñárritu’s involvement has already generated, all eyes will be on whether this creative gamble pays off once the film finally hits theaters.

What are you most excited to see from Tom Cruise in ‘Digger’?

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