Tom Cruise doesn’t think that AI could take over Hollywood, as he believes audiences will always want stories created by humans despite the technology’s growing influence.
Speaking at an intimate “Life in Pictures” conversation in London on Monday night, September 21, the 64-year-old actor and film producer argued that human creativity will always set filmmaking apart despite the threat posed by AI.
“Here’s the thing: There is nothing like human,” Cruise said, highlighting how theatres bring people together and create a shared experience.
“I have nothing against streaming or anything like that,” he continued, mentioning that seeing a movie in theatres is simply “a different art form.”
The Mission: Impossible star pointed to the $4.76 billion earned at the box office between May 1 and Labour Day, which was observed on September 7 in the United States, as proof that audiences remain interested in human-made entertainment.
He added, “People want that experience. They’re going to movie theaters. I always believe in humanity.”
In his closing remarks, Cruise acknowledged that AI will become part of the industry while making it clear that creatives should focus on “keep creating.”
“You know, it is coming and it’s going to happen. But people want to see real things,” he concluded.
Elsewhere in the discussion, the Academy Award-nominated actor also discussed his forthcoming film Diggerdirected by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, in which he portrays a wealthy oil tycoon requiring heavy prosthetics that initially took six hours to apply.
“I’ve never read a movie like this. It’s the most original film and one of the most moving films I’ve ever seen,” he remarked.
Digger release date
Tom Cruise’s starrer Digger is set to be released in United States theatres on October 2, 2026, with international releases beginning around September 30, 2026. The dark comedy also stars Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, and Jesse Plemons.