Tom Cruise, Beckhams and Prince of Wales unite at 'Digger' royal premiere
Synopsis
Tom Cruise brought royal glamour to the London premiere of 'Digger', posing with the Prince and Princess of Wales, David Beckham, and J.J. Abrams. The film marks his first Warner Bros. project in over a decade and pairs him with Iñárritu — the director behind 'Birdman' and 'The Revenant' — for what could be one of the most anticipated Hollywood releases of the year.
Key Takeaways
Tom Cruise attended the royal premiere of 'Digger' in London on 23 September 2026 , posing with the Prince and Princess of Wales and David Beckham .
Cruise plays Digger Rockwell , described as 'the most powerful man in the world' in the film's logline.
The film is directed by Alejandro G.
Iñárritu — his first English-language feature since 'The Revenant' . 'Digger' is Cruise's first film under his new theatrical deal with Warner Bros.
Discovery , signed in January 2026 .
The ensemble cast includes Sandra Hüller , John Goodman , Riz Ahmed , Jesse Plemons , and Emma D'Arcy , among others.
Cruise described the evening as 'an absolute joy and an honor' in an Instagram post shared after the event.
Tom Cruise on 23 September 2026 shared a series of photographs from the royal premiere of his new film 'Digger' in London, marking one of the most star-studded film events of the year. The Hollywood icon posed alongside director Alejandro G. Iñárritu, filmmaker J.J. Abrams, football legend David Beckham, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, calling the evening 'an absolute joy and an honor.'
What Cruise Said
Posting the images on Instagram, Cruise offered an effusive tribute to the city and its royals. 'Tonight has been an absolute joy and an honor. Thank you to The Royal Family, the city of London, and to all in attendance of our official Royal Premiere of DIGGER! Alejandro, the cast, and I had so much fun,' he wrote alongside the images, which also featured the film's cast and fans.
About the Film
In 'Digger', Cruise plays a character named Digger Rockwell, described in the film's logline as 'the most powerful man in the world' who 'embarks on a frantic mission to prove that he is humanity's savior before the disaster he's unleashed destroys everything.' The film boasts a formidable ensemble, including Sandra Hüller, John Goodman, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons, Sophie Wilde, Riz Ahmed, and Emma D'Arcy.
A Landmark Project for Cruise and Iñárritu
'Digger' was shot entirely in the United Kingdom over six months and marks Iñárritu's first English-language feature since the Oscar-winning 'The Revenant'. The script was co-written by Iñárritu in 2023 alongside 'Birdman' collaborators Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, and Sabina Berman, with both Cruise and Iñárritu serving as producers.
Cruise's Return to Warner Bros.
The premiere also underscored a significant industry milestone: 'Digger' is Cruise's first film since he signed a deal to develop and produce theatrical releases with Warner Bros. Discovery in January. His previous collaboration with the studio was 'Edge of Tomorrow', released more than a decade ago. The renewed partnership reunites one of Hollywood's most bankable stars with one of its largest studios.
Cruise's Enduring Star Power
Regarded as a global cinema icon, Cruise has received an Honorary Palme d'Or, an Academy Honorary Award, and three Golden Globes, in addition to four competitive Academy Award nominations. He is consistently ranked among the world's highest-paid actors. With 'Digger' arriving alongside an Iñárritu-led cast and royal fanfare, industry watchers will be monitoring whether the film can replicate — or surpass — the commercial trajectory of Cruise's recent outings.
Point of View
Whose last two English-language films won a combined seven Oscars — suggests the studio is betting on prestige rather than franchise sequels to anchor its theatrical pipeline. The royal imprimatur adds a layer of cultural legitimacy rarely seen outside Bond premieres. Whether the film's high-concept logline translates into audience appetite will be the real test; Cruise's last several vehicles have succeeded on spectacle, not on cerebral ambition — and 'Digger' appears to be pitching for both.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the film 'Digger' about?
'Digger' stars Tom Cruise as Digger Rockwell, described as 'the most powerful man in the world' who goes on a frantic mission to prove he is humanity's saviour before a disaster he has unleashed destroys everything. The film is directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and features a cast including Sandra Hüller, John Goodman, Riz Ahmed, and Jesse Plemons.
Who attended the royal premiere of 'Digger' in London?
Tom Cruise was joined at the London royal premiere by the Prince and Princess of Wales, football legend David Beckham, filmmaker J.J. Abrams, and members of the film's cast. Cruise described the evening as 'an absolute joy and an honor' in an Instagram post.
Is 'Digger' Tom Cruise's first film with Warner Bros. Discovery?
Yes, 'Digger' is Cruise's first film since he signed a deal to develop and produce theatrical releases with Warner Bros. Discovery in January 2026. His previous collaboration with the studio was 'Edge of Tomorrow', released more than a decade ago.
Who directed 'Digger' and what is the significance of the film for the director?
'Digger' is directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and marks his first English-language film since 'The Revenant' (2015). The script was co-written in 2023 by Iñárritu alongside 'Birdman' collaborators Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, and Sabina Berman.
Where was 'Digger' filmed?
'Digger' was filmed entirely in the United Kingdom over a period of six months. The film's royal premiere was held in London on 23 September 2026.
