Tom Cruise's Unstoppable Drive: 'Digger' Cast Reveals Star's Relentless Work Ethic

In a revealing interview with Collider’s Steve Weintraub, Academy Award nominee Sandra Hüller and Academy Award winner Riz Ahmed discussed their experiences working on the upcoming film "Digger," directed by the acclaimed Alejandro G. Iñárritu. They shared insights into the director's unique approach, the challenges and rewards of shooting in VistaVision, and their awe at the "relentless" ambition of their co-star, Tom Cruise. The film, described as a "ballsy-as-F" movie by Weintraub, centers around the titular oil tycoon, Digger Rockwell (Cruise), who embarks on a hysterical mission to prove himself as humanity's savior from a global disaster that he, ironically, caused. "Digger" is set to open in theaters and IMAX on October 2, featuring an ensemble cast including John Goodman, Jesse Plemons, and Michael Stuhlbarg alongside Cruise, Ahmed, and Hüller.

Alejandro G. Iñárritu, known for his distinctive cinematic vision, encouraged a highly experimental environment on the set of "Digger." Ahmed elaborated on the collaborative process, stating that Iñárritu "was very clear about feeling the need for us to all find this together. He wasn't like, 'This is exactly what it's going to be,' up front." Hüller added that the director refrained from labeling actions as "wrong" or "right," instead continually pushing the cast "to go further, to experiment, to throw paint at the wall." This creative freedom, while at times exhausting, was described by Ahmed as "a crazy process that was very playful" and profoundly inspiring, leading to moments where "we all knew" when they successfully hit a creative mark.

Both Ahmed and Hüller expressed immense admiration for Tom Cruise's unparalleled work ethic. Hüller candidly admitted that Cruise consistently thought about scenes "way more than I had," yet he never used his meticulous preparation "as a tool to be bigger than you or anything." Ahmed recounted a striking anecdote illustrating Cruise's extreme dedication: "Tom would be in rehearsals for this, and then he would finish the day and fly himself in a helicopter to another studio whilst running lines in a helicopter, then go and practice and do reshoots for stunts in the Mission movie in an underwater tank until, like, two in the morning. Then, in the car home, carry on running lines and then come in in the morning, and when you'd go up to him to say hello, he'd be in the middle of running lines." Ahmed concluded, "He's relentless. It's inspiring. It's quite unique. It's no mistake that he is who he is, I think, and that's cool to be around," a sentiment echoed by Hüller, who marveled at never seeing him tired.

The conversation also delved into the technical aspects of filming, specifically the use of VistaVision cameras. This unique and non-normative style of filmmaking had a distinct impact on the set. Sandra Hüller felt that working with the VistaVision camera made each moment "even more precious" when the cast and crew were collaborating. While she didn't study the format in depth, she appreciated being around it and noted its "very nice sound." Riz Ahmed, however, had a different take on the sound, describing it as "quite loud," and conveying the visceral feeling of "You could really feel the film in the camera." This detail highlights the tangible and immersive experience of shooting with such a distinctive cinematic tool.

In summary, the interview with Sandra Hüller and Riz Ahmed paints a vivid picture of the "Digger" production: a film marked by Iñárritu's bold experimental vision, the incredible dedication of Tom Cruise, and the unique atmospheric influence of VistaVision cinematography. The actors' insights underscore the intense and collaborative creative process behind what promises to be a truly singular cinematic experience.