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Mission unrecognisable: Tom Cruise transformed as elderly oil baron in trailer for new film Digger

'He is soft launching his relationship with... old age,' said one fan after seeing shocking appearance of Top Gun actor in Alejandro González Iñárritu film

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By William Mata

Tom Cruise's frail and portly appearance in the trailer for his next film Digger has shocked fans, with some suggesting he is now, for the first time, looking his 64 years.

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In an age-defying career, which has seen him star in eight Mission: Impossible films, Cruise has let himself go to play a wealthy oil tycoon in Alejandro González Iñárritu's black comedy.

After the trailer was released on Monday, quick-witted fans on YouTube joked that the character's white hair and manic gaze had seen all the years catch up with the star in one go.

"Tom Cruise soft-launching his relationship with old age," said one.

Another added: "A film where Tom Cruise isn't running? What's the meaning of this?"

Others added that they are excited for a rare chance to see the actor return to more character-driven roles, which have seen him win acclaim for turns in Magnolia, A Few Good Men, and Born on the Fourth of July.

"Finally, a movie where Tom Cruise's most dangerous stunt is raw, unfiltered acting," one said.

Cruise will have to de-age in the medium term, however, as he has signed on for a sequel to his 2014 action comedy The Edge of Tomorrow, while he has also agreed to star in Top Gun 3.

Read also: Tom Cruise 'abandons £35m Knightsbridge flat' over fears London has become 'unsafe' after spate of robberies

Cast member Tom Cruise, left, and director Alejandro González Iñárritu of the upcoming film "Digger" speak at the Warner Bros. presentation at CinemaCon on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Tom Cruise, left, and director Alejandro González Iñárritu. Picture: Alamy

Is Digger a true story?

No, Digger is the creation of writers Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu, who is also the director, and Sabina Berman, and sees a powerful oil tycoon (Cruise) fight to avert a climate crisis he helped create.

UK release date

Digger has been slated for a release on Friday, October 2.

Digger full cast

As well as Cruise in the lead role as Digger Rockwell, the other cast includes:

  • Riz Ahmed,
  • John Goodman,
  • Sandra Hüller,
  • Michael Stuhlbarg,
  • Jesse Plemons,
  • Robert John Burke,
  • Emma D'Arcy,
  • Burn Gorman,
  • Sophie Wilde, and
  • Pip Torrens