TRAILER WATCH: Tom Cruise Is Out to Save the World From a Disaster He Unleashed in ‘Digger’

Tom Cruise may be trying to save the world again — but this time, he may be the reason it needs saving.

The first look at Digger, the new film from Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu, puts Cruise in the title role as a powerful man racing to convince the world that he’s humanity’s savior before a catastrophe of his own making destroys everything.

That deliberately mysterious premise — paired with the film’s wonderfully strange “Dig. Or Die.” marketing — gives moviegoers plenty to wonder about before Digger arrives in theaters this fall.

WATCH: ‘Digger’ Official Trailer

Tom Cruise Takes on a Very Different Kind of Mission

The official synopsis doesn’t reveal much about Cruise’s character beyond describing him as “the most powerful man in the world.” What it does reveal is intriguing: he has somehow unleashed a disaster and now embarks on a frantic mission to prove that he can save humanity from it. 

It’s an unusual setup for Cruise, whose recent blockbusters have frequently positioned him as the man attempting to prevent catastrophe. Digger appears ready to turn that formula on its head.

And judging by the first images, don’t expect the familiar Ethan Hunt look.

The film’s key art finds Cruise dressed in a pale blue Western suit, cowboy hat, and snakeskin boots, one foot planted on a globe and one hand resting on a shovel. The poster’s simple warning?

“Dig. Or Die.”

Whatever Iñárritu and Cruise are cooking up here, subtle doesn’t appear to be on the menu.

Cruise Leads a Seriously Impressive Cast

Cruise isn’t alone.

Digger also stars Academy Award winner Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Academy Award nominee Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg and Academy Award nominee Jesse Plemons.

One of the newly released stills pairs Cruise with Ahmed, while another gives Goodman a commanding frame of his own.

Iñárritu directed the film from a screenplay written by Iñárritu, Alexander Dinelaris, Nicolás Giacobone and Sabina Berman. The story is credited to Berman, Iñárritu and Jez Butterworth. Iñárritu, Mary Parent and Cruise serve as producers.

An Oscar-Winning Team Behind the Camera

The talent extends behind the camera.

Iñárritu reunites with Academy Award-winning cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, while the creative team also includes editors Conor O’Neill and Stephen Mirrione, costume designer Jacqueline West, makeup and hair designer Alessandro Bertolazzi, casting director Francine Maisler, production designers Dennis Gassner and Richard Johnson, prosthetic makeup designer Kazu Hiro and composer Cosmo Sheldrake. 

The entire movie was shot in VistaVision, giving movie fans another reason to consider seeing this one on the biggest screen available.

When Does ‘Digger’ Hit Theaters?

Digger opens in theaters and IMAX across North America on Oct. 2, 2026, with its international rollout beginning Sept. 30.

Warner Bros. Pictures is distributing the Legendary Pictures production. 

For now, Digger is keeping many of its secrets buried.

But a mysterious catastrophe, an eccentric-looking Tom Cruise, Iñárritu behind the camera, and a cast that includes Riz Ahmed and John Goodman?

Consider us curious.

Watch the trailer above for your first look.