Tom Cruise Defends Practical Filmmaking, Says Audiences Want to See “Real Things” Amid AI Rise
Tom Cruise has weighed in on the growing role of artificial intelligence in Hollywood, arguing that technological advances will not replace the appeal of human creativity and real-world filmmaking.
Speaking at a BAFTA “Life in Pictures” event in London on September 21, the Hollywood star acknowledged that AI is coming to the film industry but emphasized his belief that audiences continue to value authentic human performances and tangible filmmaking experiences.
Tom Cruise Says AI Is Coming to Hollywood
During the career retrospective, Cruise was asked how artificial intelligence could affect filmmaking and the future of cinema.
The actor acknowledged that AI will become increasingly important, saying that it is “coming” and that it will happen. However, he argued that the technology does not eliminate the importance of human creativity.
“There is nothing like human,” Cruise said during the discussion, before emphasizing that audiences still want to see “real things” on screen.
Cruise also encouraged filmmakers and other creative professionals to continue developing their craft rather than stepping away from filmmaking because of technological changes.
Practical Filmmaking Remains Central to Cruise’s Career
Cruise has built much of his modern screen identity around practical action filmmaking and performing demanding stunts himself.
His Mission: Impossible films have repeatedly incorporated large-scale practical stunts, including aircraft sequences, motorcycle jumps and other physically demanding set pieces. His approach has also been associated with the broader push for theatrical filmmaking that emphasizes physical environments and practical effects.
Industry coverage of his BAFTA comments noted that Cruise has long been a supporter of traditional filmmaking techniques and has often used limited CGI in his action work.
His comments therefore fit closely with the filmmaking approach that has characterized much of his career.
Cruise Connects AI Debate With the Cinema Experience
Cruise’s comments were not limited to AI-generated filmmaking. He also discussed the importance of movie theaters and the shared experience of watching films with an audience.
He described theatrical cinema as a distinct form of art and argued that people continue to value the experience of gathering together to watch movies.
“I always believe in humanity,” Cruise said while discussing the continuing appeal of theaters.
The remarks come as Hollywood continues to debate how AI-generated content could affect filmmaking, acting, visual effects and other creative professions.
Digger Provides the Backdrop for Cruise’s Comments
Cruise made the comments while promoting his upcoming film Digger, directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu.
The film stars Cruise alongside Sandra Hüller, Riz Ahmed and John Goodman. Cruise plays eccentric oil tycoon Digger Rockwell, a character whose actions become connected to an ecological disaster and a wider global crisis.
Digger is scheduled for theatrical release on October 2, 2026.
Star-Studded Royal Premiere in London
The film received a royal premiere in London on September 22, one day after Cruise’s BAFTA appearance.
The event was attended by Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, along with Cruise, David Beckham and members of the film’s cast and creative team.
Cruise spoke about the unusual nature of his character at the premiere, describing the role as unlike anything he had previously encountered. He also highlighted a lengthy monologue that was filmed in a single take as one of the demanding elements of the production.
AI and Hollywood’s Changing Production Landscape
Cruise’s remarks come during a broader debate about how generative AI could change the entertainment industry.
AI tools are increasingly being explored for visual effects, pre-production, digital environments, animation and other filmmaking tasks. At the same time, actors, writers, filmmakers and studios have been discussing questions involving creative control, consent, copyright and the use of performers’ likenesses.
Cruise’s position focuses on the continuing value of human involvement rather than rejecting technological development altogether. At the BAFTA event, he acknowledged that AI will become part of filmmaking while arguing that human creativity and the experience of seeing real performances remain important.
Tom Cruise’s Longstanding Support for Theatrical Cinema
Cruise has consistently advocated for theatrical releases and the communal experience of watching movies in cinemas.
His career has also made practical filmmaking a major part of his public image, particularly through the Mission: Impossible franchise. The series has increasingly incorporated elaborate physical stunts while also using advanced visual effects and digital technology.
That combination illustrates the distinction in Cruise’s recent comments: his argument is not that technology has no place in filmmaking, but that technological innovation should exist alongside human performance and creative craftsmanship.
What Tom Cruise’s AI Comments Mean for Filmmaking
Cruise’s remarks highlight one of the central questions facing Hollywood as AI tools become more capable: how much of filmmaking can be automated or generated digitally without losing the qualities audiences associate with human-created cinema?
For Cruise, the continued attraction of theaters and physically performed filmmaking suggests that technology will not necessarily replace the demand for human storytelling.
His message at the BAFTA event was ultimately centered on continuing to create, even as the tools used by filmmakers evolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What did Tom Cruise say about AI?
Tom Cruise said AI is coming and will become part of filmmaking, but argued that audiences still want to see real things and experience human creativity on screen.
2. Where did Tom Cruise discuss AI?
Cruise discussed AI during a BAFTA “Life in Pictures” event in London on September 21, 2026.
3. Does Tom Cruise oppose AI in filmmaking?
His comments did not amount to a blanket rejection of AI. Cruise acknowledged that AI will become part of the industry while emphasizing the continuing importance of human creativity and real-world filmmaking.
4. Why is Tom Cruise associated with practical filmmaking?
Cruise is particularly known for performing demanding stunts himself and using practical action techniques, especially throughout the Mission: Impossible franchise.
5. What did Tom Cruise mean by “people want to see real things”?
Cruise was emphasizing his belief that audiences value authentic human performances and tangible cinematic experiences even as digital technology and AI develop.
6. What is Tom Cruise’s upcoming movie Digger?
Digger is a dark comedy directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, starring Cruise as eccentric oil tycoon Digger Rockwell.
7. When does Digger release?
Digger is scheduled to arrive in theaters on October 2, 2026.
8. Who stars alongside Tom Cruise in Digger?
The film features Sandra Hüller, Riz Ahmed and John Goodman alongside Cruise.
9. What was the London royal premiere of Digger?
The film’s world premiere took place in London on September 22, 2026, with Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, among the attendees.
10. What is Tom Cruise’s view on movie theaters?
Cruise has strongly supported the theatrical experience, describing cinema as a distinct art form and emphasizing the communal experience of audiences watching films together.
