You’ve seen the headlines. You’ve seen the clips of him dangling off a biplane or sprinting through London at 63. But if you think the latest Tom Cruise news is just another countdown to a Mission: Impossible sequel, you’re looking at the wrong map.
Honestly, the "last movie star" is currently pulling off his biggest stunt yet: a total career pivot that most people haven't even noticed.
While everyone was obsessing over whether Ethan Hunt would finally retire in 2025's The Final Reckoning, Cruise was quietly setting up a 2026 that looks nothing like the last two decades of his life. We’re talking about a move away from the "invincible action hero" trope and toward the kind of gritty, weird, and prestigious cinema that earned him those Oscar nods back in the 90s.
It’s a massive gamble. Let's get into what’s actually happening behind the scenes.
The Iñárritu Pivot: Goodbye Action, Hello "Digger"
The biggest piece of Tom Cruise news right now isn't a sequel. It’s a movie called Digger.
Scheduled for release on October 2, 2026, this project is the real reason Cruise signed that massive "strategic partnership" deal with Warner Bros. last year. It’s being directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu—the guy who gave us The Revenant and Birdman. This isn't a popcorn flick.
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Basically, the plot sounds absolutely unhinged.
Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, a man described as the "most powerful person in the world" who causes a global catastrophe and then tries to fix it before the world ends. Warner Bros. execs are already calling his performance "extraordinary" and "nothing you've ever seen."
- Genre: It’s a black comedy. Yeah, you read that right. Tom Cruise is doing a "brutal" comedy.
- The Cast: He’s surrounded himself with a "prestige" army: Jesse Plemons, Sandra Hüller, and Riz Ahmed.
- The Vibe: Early word is that it feels like Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove.
If you’re used to seeing him save the world with a grin and a gadget, Digger is going to be a shock to the system. He’s leaning into his age. He’s leaning into the "introspective" acting range he showed in Magnolia and Eyes Wide Shut. It’s a calculated move to remind the Academy that he’s more than just a guy who likes jumping off things.
The Space Movie Is Dead (For Now)
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the rocket that never launched.
For years, the most exciting Tom Cruise news was the "SpaceX Movie." The plan was to shoot a narrative feature on the International Space Station with Doug Liman. It was supposed to be the ultimate Tom Cruise stunt.
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It’s scrapped. Or at the very least, it's on a very long, dusty shelf.
Reports suggest the project hit a "political wall." Because the shoot required heavy coordination with NASA and the federal government, Cruise reportedly didn't want to navigate the political favors needed to get the green light. Add in the nightmare of insurance premiums for a $200 million asset floating in orbit, and the project basically folded under its own weight.
It's a rare "L" for Cruise. But in typical fashion, he didn't dwell on it. He just pivoted to Warner Bros. and Iñárritu instead.
What About the Franchises?
Don't worry, the big IP isn't totally gone. But the timeline is further out than the rumor mill suggests.
- Top Gun 3: It’s happening, but don't hold your breath for 2026. Director Joseph Kosinski is currently tied up with a Miami Vice reboot and a massive Formula 1 movie. Realistically, we’re looking at 2028 or 2029 before Maverick gets back in the cockpit.
- Edge of Tomorrow 2: This is the dark horse. Since Cruise’s move to Warner Bros., the studio has been begging him to finally make this sequel. Doug Liman and Emily Blunt are both "ready," and a script exists. There’s a strong chance this could be the big "action" follow-up to Digger.
- Mission: Impossible 9: The Final Reckoning was marketed as the end. But we know Tom. He’s already mentioned he wants to keep making these movies until he’s Harrison Ford’s age. If Digger is a hit, he might take a break, but the door is never truly closed on Ethan Hunt.
Why This Matters for 2026
The industry is watching Cruise because he’s basically the only person who can still force people into a movie theater for an original story. Digger isn't a sequel. It isn't a remake. It’s an "auteur-driven" gamble with a $125 million budget.
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If it works, it proves that "Tom Cruise the Actor" is just as bankable as "Tom Cruise the Stuntman."
If it fails? He’ll probably just jump off a taller building and make Top Gun 3 twice as fast.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Investors
- Watch the Festivals: Expect Digger to debut at Venice or TIFF in September 2026. This will be the first real look at the "New Tom."
- Keep an eye on Broadsword: That’s his other project with Christopher McQuarrie—a WWII epic. It’s likely to be his next major production after the Iñárritu press tour.
- Follow the Warner Bros. Slate: The Cruise/WB partnership is the new center of gravity in Hollywood. Any original movie they greenlight is basically a Cruise-endorsed stamp of "theatrical quality."
Cruise isn't slowing down; he's just changing the game. He's moving from the era of "How did he survive that?" to the era of "How did he act that?" and honestly, it’s about time.
Stay updated on the production logs for Broadsword and the early test screening reactions for Digger to see if this pivot is actually landing with audiences.