The event, held at Leicester Square, also served as the annual Royal Film Performance. Organized by The Film and TV Charity, it aimed to raise funds for the British film and television industry. Variety reported that the entire square was transformed to reflect the film's setting, featuring models of the Arctic Sea and images of the main character.
Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton arrived towards the end of the red carpet reception. They engaged with the film's cast, including Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Jesse Plemons. The royal couple then spent approximately 10 minutes conversing with Tom Cruise and director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu before heading into the Odeon Luxe cinema. Upon their entry into the auditorium, the King's band performed a ceremonial fanfare.
On stage, Tom Cruise expressed gratitude for the attendance of Prince William's family, commending the British Royal Family's support for the arts. He also thanked producer Mary Parent and The Film and TV Charity. Cruise noted that working with director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu had been a long-standing career aspiration.
Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu's "Digger" is a satirical comedy. It follows Digger Rockwell, an oil magnate portrayed by Tom Cruise, as he tries to mitigate a disaster caused by his company. Cruise shared that he requested Iñarritu read the script aloud to him for two consecutive nights before he accepted the role. He described "Digger" as one of the most "unique and emotionally rich" projects he has participated in.
Previously, at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) headquarters on 21/9, Cruise discussed his perspective on technological advancements. He posited that despite the growing ubiquity of artificial intelligence (AI), audiences continue to seek authentic, human-made experiences at the cinema.
"When you pour your heart into something, you breathe life into it. People consistently desire authenticity," Cruise stated. He also voiced his commitment to protecting film technicians and craftspeople, who dedicate their lives to their work, from being replaced by machinery.
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Former football player David Beckham (right) - a long-time friend of Tom Cruise - on the red carpet for the "Digger" premiere. Photo: Instagram Tom Cruise |
Tom Cruise, aged 64, is often called "ageless" in Hollywood due to his consistent appearance. SCMP reported he was the world's highest-earning actor in 2022, specifically in filmmaking. He holds a Guinness World Record for the most consecutive films to gross over USD 100 million, with more than 30 titles. In June 2025, Cruise set another world record by completing 16 flaming parachute jumps for a stunt in "Mission: Impossible 8".
By Cat Tien (Source: Variety)
