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

Tom Cruise is set to star alongside Jesse Plemons in a fresh project that tips its hat to Stanley Kubrick’s legendary 1964 satire. The film, called Digger, is shaping up to be a curious blend of dark comedy and drama, with Plemons describing the script as one of the oddest and most tragic he’s come across.

“It’s 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.”

While the full storyline is still under wraps, it’s clear that Kubrick’s influence looms large. The original Dr. Strangelove was a biting satire about a world teetering on the edge of disaster, and Digger seems to be following in those footsteps, albeit with its own twist.

Drawing Inspiration from a Cinematic Classic

Kubrick’s 1964 film, starring Peter Sellers and George C. Scott, saw a rogue general push the globe towards nuclear catastrophe, with a frantic war room trying to avert disaster. In a similar vein, Cruise’s character in Digger is described as the most powerful bloke on the planet, scrambling to prove he can save humanity from a mess of his own making.

The cast is stacked, with Sandra Hüller, John Goodman, Michael Stuhlbarg, Sophie Wilde, Riz Ahmed, and Emma D’Arcy joining Cruise and Plemons. The film is directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and is set to hit cinemas on 2 October 2026, courtesy of Legendary Pictures.

What’s Next for Cruise After Mission: Impossible?

With the curtain falling on the Mission: Impossible series after The Final Reckoning in 2025, Cruise has been on the lookout for a new direction. Digger could mark a shift, with the star diving into more comedic territory, albeit with a dark edge and, knowing Cruise, probably a few stunts thrown in for good measure.

After years of globe-trotting action, this new project might just be the shake-up Cruise’s career needs. The film’s unique blend of humour and high stakes has already got punters talking, and with a cast like this, expectations are running high.

All Eyes on Digger’s Release

As anticipation builds, locals and film buffs alike are keen to see how Cruise and Plemons tackle a story that’s both a nod to a classic and something entirely its own. With Iñárritu at the helm and a script that’s been called strange, funny, and tragic, Digger is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about releases of 2026.

Whether you’re a fan of Kubrick, Cruise, or just after something a bit different, this one’s worth keeping an eye on.