LONDON — Despite the rapidly accelerating threat of artificial intelligence and digital fabrication across the modern film industry, Hollywood icon Tom Cruise remains fundamentally confident that audiences will always prefer genuine human artistry on the big screen.
Speaking before an intimate and captivated audience on Monday night in London for a special BAFTA “Life in Pictures” conversation, the legendary actor reflected extensively on his remarkable four-decade career. During the wide-ranging discussion, Cruise looked back on his celebrated, critically acclaimed roles in defining cinematic milestones such as “Top Gun,” “Jerry Maguire,” “Magnolia,” and his blockbuster-defining work anchoring the relentless “Mission: Impossible” franchise. At the same time, he turned his gaze toward the future, offering exciting new details about his upcoming cinematic venture, the highly anticipated feature film “Digger.”
The conversation, skillfully moderated by broadcaster Edith Bowman, naturally gravitated toward the topic of technological disruption. Given that the “Mission: Impossible” franchise has long positioned itself at the absolute forefront of pioneering practical stunts and cutting-edge movie-making technology—with the upcoming 2025 installment, “The Final Reckoning,” directly confronting artificial intelligence as a primary narrative villain—Bowman asked Cruise for his perspective on how AI will ultimately impact the broader entertainment industry.
Cruise did not hesitate to emphasize the irreplaceable value of human emotion and physical reality in filmmaking.
“Here’s the thing: There is nothing like human,” Cruise began, articulating his passionate belief in the power of the theatrical experience. He explained that one of the fundamental reasons he remains so aggressively bullish on preserving and championing the traditional movie theater experience is because the shared communal viewing environment inherently brings people together in a way that digital platforms simply cannot replicate.
While acknowledging the convenience and widespread adoption of home viewing, the actor was careful to clarify his stance on modern distribution models. “I have nothing against streaming or anything like that,” he continued, emphasizing that watching a film in a dedicated theater space is simply “a different art form” altogether.
To underscore his point about the enduring power of the cinematic experience, Cruise drew attention to the monumental success of the recent box office season. This past summer’s box office performance shattered all-time industry records, grossing an astonishing $4.76 billion globally during the window spanning from May 1 through Labor Day. For Cruise, this historic financial milestone served as definitive proof of the public’s unwavering, enduring desire for authentic human stories, tangible craftsmanship, and communal storytelling.
“People want that experience. They’re going to movie theaters,” Cruise told the audience, before offering a succinct summary of his philosophy: “I always believe in humanity.”
Addressing the looming shadow of artificial intelligence head-on, Cruise offered a pragmatic yet fiercely optimistic directive for writers, directors, actors, and other creative professionals. In the face of rapid technological shifts, he argued, creatives must simply continue to do what they have always done.
“You know, it is coming and it’s going to happen,” Cruise said, acknowledging the inevitability of AI’s arrival in various facets of production and post-production. However, he doubled down on his core conviction regarding consumer demand, stating firmly, “But people want to see real things.”
Transitioning from broader industry philosophies to his own upcoming projects, the renowned movie star gave attendees an exclusive and intriguing tease about “Digger.” Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, the acclaimed visionary filmmaker behind “The Revenant,” the upcoming film features Cruise in a remarkably unconventional role as a wealthy oil tycoon.
In what promises to be one of the most visually striking performances of his career, Cruise appears nearly unrecognizable in the film. To embody the wealthy tycoon, the actor underwent a dramatic physical transformation, utilizing a specialized fat suit and extensive prosthetic makeup. Cruise revealed that the intricate prosthetic application process initially demanded an exhausting six hours in the makeup chair each day just to achieve the desired look.
“I’ve never read a movie like this,” Cruise shared with the BAFTA audience, expressing profound enthusiasm for the director’s singular vision. “It’s the most original film and one of the most moving films I’ve ever seen.”
“Digger” is scheduled to hit theaters globally on October 2, distributed by Warner Bros.
