Tom Cruise discussed his work ethic in an interview with GQ ahead of Alejandro Iñárritu’s black comedy Digger. The 64-year-old actor said that he makes his expectations clear on set, telling his colleagues that he will arrive before them and asking whether they will show the same dedication. Cruise noted that he has been described as “very disciplined” since his youth, adding that he wants to learn and understand the subjects that interest him and develop the relevant skills. He emphasized that he is constantly working and learning new things outside of filming as well, and that preparation for films begins before arriving on set. It took Iñárritu 10 years to prepare Digger.
In the film, which is scheduled to be released next month, Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, a wealthy oil tycoon tasked with saving humanity after putting the world in danger. The cast also includes Riz Ahmed, John Goodman and Sandra Hüller. Some believe Cruise could win an Oscar for his performance, which has drawn attention because of his prosthetic appearance in the trailer.
It has also been confirmed that Cruise, a 4-time Oscar nominee who received an honorary Academy Award last year, will return as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the third film in the Top Gun franchise. The actor reached the highest box office of his career with Top Gun: Maverick in 2022.
Why it matters
Cruise’s comments show that the actor associates his long career not only with his performances in front of the camera but also with the preparation process and the standard of work he expects from the crew. This approach highlights the working compatibility between the director and the actor, particularly in a production such as Digger, which Iñárritu spent 10 years preparing. The film will test Cruise’s range beyond his high-grossing action roles, as well as the reception of different choices such as his prosthetic appearance. While the possibility of an Oscar remains, for now, a matter of speculation, his four nominations and honorary award form the basis of the discussion. The third film in the Top Gun franchise, meanwhile, shows that Cruise is continuing both to explore new characters and to take on the franchise role with which he is identified during the same period.