Tom Cruise’s New Film Channels Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove

Tom Cruise is set to return to the big screen in a rather unconventional role, joining forces with Jesse Plemons—known for his work in Bugonia and Breaking Bad—in a project that tips its hat to Stanley Kubrick’s most celebrated satire. The film, titled Digger, has already sparked curiosity, not least because of its peculiar blend of humour and tragedy, as Plemons himself recently revealed.

Echoes of Kubrick: A Modern Satirical Spin

Jesse Plemons didn’t mince words when describing the script, calling it,

“one of the strangest, funniest, most tragic scripts I’ve read. There’s a kind of modern-day ‘Dr. Strangelove’ thing, and then it becomes something else entirely.”

The reference is no accident. Kubrick’s 1964 classic, Dr. Strangelove, famously lampooned Cold War paranoia, with Peter Sellers and George C. Scott at the helm as the world teetered on the edge of disaster. In a similar vein, Digger appears to follow Cruise’s character as he edges humanity towards catastrophe, with a war council scrambling to avert the worst.

While the full plot remains under wraps, it’s clear that the film draws inspiration from Kubrick’s sharp wit and bleak outlook. Cruise’s role as “the most powerful man in the world” sees him racing to prove himself the planet’s saviour, even as the chaos he’s unleashed threatens to consume everything.

Behind the Scenes: Cast, Crew, and Release

Helmed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, Digger boasts a formidable ensemble. Alongside Cruise and Plemons, the cast features Sandra Hüller, John Goodman, Michael Stuhlbarg, Sophie Wilde, Riz Ahmed, and Emma D’Arcy. The film is slated for release on 2 October 2026, with Legendary Pictures overseeing production.

It’s a notable shift for Cruise, who only recently bid farewell to the Mission: Impossible franchise with The Final Reckoning. After years of high-octane stunts and globe-trotting espionage, this new venture signals a willingness to embrace darker comedy and more complex characters. The prospect of Cruise leading a film that veers between absurdity and disaster is, to say the least, intriguing.

What’s Next for Cruise After Mission: Impossible?

With the curtain falling on one of Hollywood’s most enduring action series, speculation has swirled about Cruise’s next move. Digger could mark the beginning of a new chapter, one where he trades relentless action for sharp satire and a touch of the surreal. The film’s premise—an all-powerful figure desperately trying to clean up his own mess—offers plenty of room for both comedy and pathos.

Audiences will no doubt be curious to see how Cruise adapts to this shift in tone, especially with a director like Iñárritu at the helm and a script that promises to keep viewers guessing. Whether Digger becomes a cult favourite or simply a curious detour in Cruise’s career, it’s certain to get people talking.

Are you looking forward to seeing Cruise in a role quite unlike any he’s tackled before? Share your thoughts below.