Tom Cruise hosted a world premiere in London on Tuesday, and it came with a royal flourish. Prince William and Princess Catherine attended the screening of Digger, the dark political comedy from Alejandro González Iñárritu. The event, a Royal Film Performance, was held at Leicester Square Gardens and benefited the UK’s Film & TV Charity.
Cruise greeted William and Catherine on the carpet first, alongside Iñárritu. The director then escorted Prince William down the line, while Cruise escorted Princess Catherine. The cast assembled for the event included Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg and Jesse Plemons.
The Royal Welcome
Also in attendance were Emma D’Arcy, Emmanuel Lubezki, Sophie Wilde, J.J. Abrams, Hannah Waddingham and Salma Hayek. The red carpet gallery from Deadline captures the full scene.
Once inside the venue, Cruise took the stage and thanked the Royal Family directly. He praised producers Mary Parent and Michael Sharp before turning to Iñárritu.
Iñárritu Praises Cruise
The director focused on Cruise’s performance. He called the actor “incredible” and praised his generosity and positive energy on set. “His enthusiasm is contagious — it’s actually uncomfortable,” Iñárritu said, making Cruise laugh.
Iñárritu then detailed what Cruise brought to the role. He noted how the actor handled a challenging part, showing precision with his body, voice and timing that the director said he had never seen before. That precise, controlled approach stood out to Iñárritu, who said the performance exceeded even his own expectations.
What Digger Is About
In Digger, Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, an oil baron and the world’s most powerful man. He embarks on a frantic mission to prove he is humanity’s savior before the environmental disaster he unleashed destroys everything.
The film hits screens internationally on September 30, with an Imax and North American release beginning October 2.
The Event’s Scale
The premiere drew a notable cast and a royal couple. The full range of guests, from the lead actors to the royal visitors, gathered for a night that combined the film industry with the British monarchy.
| Role | Attendee |
|---|---|
| Host | Tom Cruise |
| Director | Alejandro González Iñárritu |
| Lead actor | Riz Ahmed et al. |
| Royal guests | Prince William and Princess Catherine |
A Royal Premiere
The screening turned into a royal occasion. Cruise’s stage presence was central, and his praise for Iñárritu was generous. The director’s own words — “his enthusiasm is contagious — it’s actually uncomfortable” — landed as a memorable line of the night.
Cruise responded with his own praise, thanking the Royal Family and praising the producers alongside the director. The night brought together a film star, a royal couple and a cast of actors for a single, notable event.
Source material: “Tom Cruise’s ‘Digger’ World Premiere Was A Royal Affair With Prince William & Kate Middleton,” Deadline.
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