Tom Cruise brought star power — and royal company — to London’s Leicester Square Gardens on Tuesday as Digger held its world premiere.
The launch of Alejandro González Iñárritu’s dark political comedy doubled as a Royal Film Performance attended by Prince William and Princess Catherine of Wales. The event was staged in aid of the UK’s Film & TV Charity.
William and Catherine began their evening by greeting Cruise and González Iñárritu on the carpet. After speaking with the actor and director, the royal couple met the film’s assembled cast, with González Iñárritu accompanying Prince William and Cruise escorting Princess Catherine along the line.
Cruise’s co-stars Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg and Jesse Plemons were among those at the premiere. The guest list also included Emma D’Arcy, Emmanuel Lubezki, Sophie Wilde, J.J. Abrams, Hannah Waddingham and Salma Hayek.
Cruise Thanks the Royal Family
Once inside, Cruise took the stage to introduce the film and acknowledge the royal guests.
“We want to thank the Royal Highnesses for supporting this event,” Cruise said. “And just to tell them that we love them and we really appreciate what they do for the arts for this country and for the world, thank you.”
The star also recognized producers Mary Parent and Michael Sharp before turning his attention to González Iñárritu, describing the opportunity to collaborate with the filmmaker as a long-held ambition.
“You are one of one and I have so admired your films from the very first one, and to have the opportunity to work with you has been one of the great dreams of mine and pleasure,” Cruise told the director. “I’ve never seen anything like it. His mind is just extraordinary.”
González Iñárritu returned the praise, highlighting both Cruise’s performance and the energy he brought to the production.
“We all know how incredible actor he is, but I think for me the most surprising thing is, how generous, how the positive energy that he brought every day to the set,” the director said.
He then drew laughter from Cruise by joking that the actor’s contagious enthusiasm was “actually uncomfortable.”
González Iñárritu said Cruise shared his experience and enthusiasm with those around him throughout the making of the movie. He also characterized the part as a demanding one that will show viewers something the actor has not done before.
The director specifically praised Cruise’s command of his body and voice, including his attention to tone, volume and pauses. González Iñárritu compared that precision to the actor knowing that, when jumping into a plane, a single second could mean being “dead or alive.”
Cruise Takes on Digger Rockwell
In Digger, Cruise stars as Digger Rockwell, an oil baron described as the most powerful man in the world.
The story follows Rockwell as he races to establish himself as humanity’s savior before an environmental catastrophe of his own making destroys everything. The premise places Cruise at the center of the film’s mix of political comedy, power and escalating disaster.
What Happens Next?
The Warner Bros. and Legendary film will begin its international release on September 30. It is then due to arrive in Imax and across North America beginning October 2.