Tom Cruise remains optimistic about the future of cinema, asserting that audiences will always crave authentic human performances despite the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence in the film industry. Speaking at an intimate BAFTA “Life in Pictures” event in London on Monday, the actor reflected on his four-decade career, which includes iconic roles in “Top Gun,” “Jerry Maguire,” “Magnolia,” and the “Mission: Impossible” series, while also looking ahead to his upcoming project, “Digger.” Moderator Edith Bowman prompted the conversation by asking about AI’s influence on filmmaking, noting that the 2025 installment “The Final Reckoning” features AI as its antagonist.
Cruise argued that there is “nothing like human” performance, a sentiment that drives his passion for preserving the theatrical experience. He described cinema attendance as a distinct art form that fosters community, while clarifying that he holds no objections to streaming platforms. To illustrate the continued public appetite for big-screen spectacles, he cited the record-breaking summer box office, which generated $4.76 billion between May 1 and Labor Day.
“People want that experience. They’re going to movie theaters,” Cruise stated. “I always believe in humanity.” Acknowledging that AI technology is inevitable, he urged creators to persist in their work. “It is coming and it’s going to happen,” he said. “But people want to see real things.”
The star also offered insights into “Digger,” directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, known for “The Revenant.” In the film, Cruise portrays a wealthy oil tycoon, undergoing a significant physical transformation that includes a fat suit and prosthetics requiring six hours to apply. Describing the script as one of the most original and moving he has ever encountered, Cruise confirmed the Warner Bros. release date of October 2.
AI is inevitable, he says, but seems skeptical about its role in storytelling. Do you really think audiences won’t accept deepfakes eventually?
Wait, does this mean the AI in Mission: Impossible was actually practical effects? I thought that was all digital this time around.
Six hours for a fat suit? That’s serious dedication. I hope ‘Digger’ lives up to the hype and Iñárritu’s previous work.
Love that he’s still doing his own stunts after all these years. Practical effects will always beat CGI in my book.