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Digger star Tom Cruise remains optimistic about the future of cinema despite the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and its growing influence on
the entertainment industry. The Hollywood superstar believes that despite everything, audiences will continue to seek authentic performances, practical filmmaking and real human stories on the big screen. As per a report Variety, speaking at an intimate BAFTA Life in Pictures event in London on Monday, Tom Cruise reflected on his remarkable four-decade career and discussed everything from his iconic roles in Top Gun, Jerry Maguire and Magnolia to the long-running Mission: Impossible franchise.
Tom Cruise On AI And The Future Of Cinema
Cruise was asked about the impact of artificial intelligence on filmmaking, particularly given that the Mission: Impossible films have frequently embraced emerging technology. The 2025 instalment, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, even featured an AI entity as its central threat. Responding to the question, Cruise stressed the importance of the human element in filmmaking.
“There is nothing like human,” Cruise said, highlighting why he remains committed to the theatrical experience. According to the actor, cinemas offer something that cannot easily be replicated by watching a movie at home.
Cruise clarified that he has nothing against streaming platforms, but considers watching a film in a theatre to be “a different art form.” He also pointed to the strong performance of the summer box office as evidence that audiences continue to value the communal experience of cinema.
The summer movie season reportedly generated $4.76 billion between May 1 and Labor Day, setting a new industry record.
“People want that experience. They’re going to movie theatres,” Cruise said, adding, “I always believe in humanity.”
Addressing the inevitable growth of AI, the actor acknowledged that the technology is here to stay and will continue to evolve. However, he urged filmmakers and other creative professionals to keep producing original work. “You know, it is coming and it’s going to happen,” Cruise said of AI. “But people want to see real things.”
Tom Cruise Teases Alejandro G Iñárritu’s Digger
Cruise also offered a glimpse into his upcoming project Digger, directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, known for films including The Revenant. Cruise plays a wealthy oil tycoon in the movie and undergoes a dramatic physical transformation for the role. The actor appears almost unrecognisable, with a fat suit and prosthetics reportedly taking around six hours to apply initially.Cruise described Digger in highly personal terms, calling it one of the most original and moving films he has encountered.
“I’ve never read a movie like this,” he said. “It’s the most original film and one of the most moving films I’ve ever seen.”
Digger is scheduled to arrive in theatres on October 2 through Warner Bros.
