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Tom Cruise aspired to turn Digger, his new film with Alejandro González Iñárritu, into one of his big opportunities to win an Oscar; however, mixed reviews and weak box office performance complicate that goal. The film had an opening below expectations and now faces the challenge of convincing both the public and Academy voters.
The film, which hit theaters in October 2026, represented a different kind of bet for Cruise, known for his action hits in films like Top Gun and Mission Impossible. But the reception of Digger has opened up a question in Hollywood: will the actor be able to maintain his Oscar aspirations despite the film's commercial stumble?
Why could Digger distance Tom Cruise from the Oscar?
The main obstacle for Tom Cruise is the reception Digger has had. The film received negative reviews from several American outlets and had a weak commercial debut, two factors that complicate his momentum during awards season.
According to reports from international media, the film grossed about 8 million dollars in the United States and Canada during its first weekend, a figure lower than expectations for a production of this size.
The situation did not improve during its second weekend, as a report published by the BBC noted that ticket sales to see the Mexican director's film fell by about 60%. The same outlet reported that according to Hollywood experts, Digger is expected to generate losses of around 245 million dollars.
An industry source commented to RadarOnline that Tom Cruise was hoping the film would lead him to the Academy Awards. "This was supposed to be the moment Tom finally turned decades of Hollywood goodwill into a competitive acting Oscar, but the feeling now is that it is not going to happen with Digger. Historically, comedy has had a difficult relationship with the Academy, particularly when it comes to Best Actor, and this is a strange, over-the-top performance in a film that asks voters to accept Tom in a completely different way," they said.
They added: "The other problem is that Hollywood has already honored him. Giving Tom an honorary Oscar last year was, in effect, the industry celebrating his entire career, so there isn't the same urgency among voters to finally grant him something. He has already received that huge emotional recognition from the Academy."
Finally, the insider asserted that "no one is saying that Tom has suddenly stopped being a big star or that he can't be nominated. But the combination of mixed reactions, the notorious difficulty of comedy at the Oscars, and that honorary award mean there isn't the feeling that this has to be his year. At this point, the campaign has a lot of ground to make up."
For her part, Debra Birnbaum, editor of the awards prediction platform Gold Derby, stated that "despite Tom's intense PR campaign, people just didn't get excited about his performance."
How many times has Tom Cruise been nominated for an Oscar?
Although Tom Cruise is one of Hollywood's most recognized stars, he has yet to win an acting Oscar. The actor has received four Academy nominations for:
• Best Actor for Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
• Best Actor for Jerry Maguire (1996)
• Best Supporting Actor for Magnolia (1999)
• Best Picture (as a producer) for Top Gun: Maverick (2022).
In 2025, Cruise received an honorary Oscar, the Governors Award, in recognition of his career and contributions to cinema. This recognition, however, is distinct from winning a statuette for a performance.
What is Digger, the film by Tom Cruise and Alejandro González Iñárritu, about?
Digger is a satirical dark comedy directed by Mexican filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu and starring Tom Cruise. The story revolves around Digger Rockwell, a powerful oil tycoon whose decisions cause an environmental catastrophe. Faced with the consequences of his actions, the character claims to be the only person capable of saving the world.
The film addresses themes such as power, the climate crisis, the responsibility of large corporations, and the way leaders try to control the narrative of a crisis.
[Publicidad]