The first trailer for this film was... unusual. Rather than showing us much of the movie itself, it played like a celebration of Tom Cruise's career, showcasing decades of films and reminding us why he's remained one of Hollywood's biggest stars. Whether you like him personally or not—and I know opinions on him are divided—it's hard to argue with his work ethic. From dramas to action films, the occasional comedy, and those now legendary stunts, Tom Cruise has spent over 40 years throwing absolutely everything into his performances which also includes either riding a motocycle or spinting any chance he gets. If you ever hear him talk about filmmaking, it's obvious he genuinely loves the craft. I honestly can't think of a film where he's simply phoned it in.
Which brings me to Digger.
For years, people have wanted a spin-off centred around Les Grossman, one of Tropic Thunder's most unforgettable characters. If that film is never going to happen, then Digger might just be the next best thing, because this looks completely unhinged—in the best possible way.
After the opening montage, the trailer immediately changes gears. A spade hits the ground, a cowboy boot steps into frame, and we're reminded this comes from Academy Award-winning director Alejandro G. Iñárritu. Visually, it already feels different. We get a slow-motion walk through a corridor into a packed amphitheatre before Tom Cruise delivers the line that sold the trailer for me: "When all else fails, you hit them with the truth. The hard truth." He then punctuates it with exaggerated finger guns, and from that moment on, the trailer descends into glorious chaos.
Warplanes fill the skies, crowds erupt into violence, Cruise stands triumphantly with flames behind him, and, in perhaps the most ridiculous image of all, drops into the splits while holding a spade. It's bizarre, unpredictable, and somehow incredibly funny. Even the tagline—"A comedy of catastrophic proportions"—feels like an understatement.
I still don't entirely know what Digger is about... and honestly, I don't care. Sometimes a trailer just sells you on its energy, and this one absolutely does. If this is the closest we're ever going to get to a Les Grossman-style Tom Cruise comedy again, then sign me up.
