Tom Cruise reveals how he created his outrageous transformation for 'Digger'

Tom Cruise has shared how he developed the eccentric look of oil baron Digger Rockwell for Alejandro G. Iñárritu's upcoming dark comedy Digger, revealing the transformation was built piece by piece through extensive collaboration with the film's creative team.

Speaking at a Warner Bros. press event in Burbank, California, Cruise explained that creating Digger's appearance involved much more than simply putting on prosthetics.

"It's everything. It's the costume, it's the hair, it's the makeup, it's the movement, it's the voice, it's the musicality of the character," Cruise said.

The actor portrays Digger Rockwell, an eccentric oil magnate whose actions trigger a global environmental catastrophe, forcing him on a desperate mission to convince the world that he can save humanity. The role marks Cruise's first major non-franchise film since American Made in 2017.

Cruise said he approached the character by absorbing every creative detail available to him, from wardrobe and colour palettes to physical movement and behaviour.

"You're gathering all these different elements... You're constantly discovering who this person is," he explained, adding that the goal is to create a performance that audiences believe completely.

Among the most striking elements of Digger's appearance are heavy ageing prosthetics, false teeth, a grey comb-over hairstyle, cowboy boots and an extravagant wardrobe, giving Cruise one of the most dramatic physical transformations of his career.

The actor also praised Iñárritu for helping establish the tone of the performance, saying the Oscar-winning filmmaker guided him in finding the character's unique rhythm.

"Alejandro has such a specific vision," Cruise said, noting that discovering Digger's personality was an ongoing process throughout production.

Director Iñárritu has previously described Cruise's performance as "fearless," while the actor recently called Digger unlike anything he has tackled during his four-decade career.

"I have never had something that could challenge me in this way," Cruise said at the film's trailer launch.

Digger stars Cruise alongside Sandra Hüller, Jesse Plemons, Riz Ahmed, Sophie Wilde, Emma D'Arcy, Michael Stuhlbarg and John Goodman. The satirical black comedy is scheduled to open in cinemas on October 2, 2026.