Jesse Plemons has shared intriguing insights about his involvement in the upcoming Tom Cruise Digger movie update, offering fans a look at what to expect from one of Hollywood’s most anticipated projects. As Plemons navigates awards season buzz for his role in Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Bugonia,” he is also preparing for another high-profile collaboration with Cruise.
Plemons Prepares for Change at Home and On Screen
The actor confessed that he is gearing up for a significant personal task: a thorough five-day garage clean-out, which he humorously contrasted with the chaos of a horror film. Plemons finds poetic symbolism in the act of clearing his space, viewing it as a metaphor for confronting life’s complexities and making room for new experiences—a theme often explored in his collaborations with directors like Lanthimos.
We moved into this house six years ago, and we never had that moment of purging all of the stuff we don’t need,
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
Despite being recognized for some of the best work of his career, most recently in “Bugonia,” Plemons remains grounded. The day he learned about his second consecutive Golden Globe nomination, he was busy making school lunches for his children while his wife, Kirsten Dunst, was away. Their focus as parents has kept attention on everyday routines rather than the pressure of Hollywood accolades, even as both earned their first Oscar nominations on “The Power of the Dog.”
I woke up to a ton of texts,
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
But then immediately it’s like, my kids don’t care about that, and they got to get to school.
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
Roots in Texas and a Lifelong Love for Acting
Born in Dallas and raised in Mart, Texas, Plemons launched his acting career at the age of two, unexpectedly appearing in a rodeo commercial. The sense of awe never left him, even as his work took him far from his roots. Plemons lives primarily in Texas, close to the family land near Austin where his father keeps horses, purposefully maintaining a life separated from full-scale Hollywood integration.
His time in Austin filming “Friday Night Lights” proved formative: he became close to local musicians, formed a band, and developed a deep appreciation for music icons like Nina Simone, Townes Van Zandt, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Sly and the Family Stone. Music remains central to his life, and Plemons believes a musical path would have been inevitable had acting not claimed him.
it would definitely be something in the realm of music.
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
Balancing ambition and authenticity, Plemons has consistently shied away from the stereotypical Hollywood journey, opting instead for a lifestyle anchored in routine, music, and family ties in Texas.
The Depths of “Bugonia” and Crafting Nuanced Roles
Plemons’s latest film, “Bugonia,” sees him portraying Teddy, a character grappling with the suspicion that hidden systems manipulate society—echoing contemporary anxieties about institutional power and truth. The film debuted at the Venice Film Festival and was screened at Telluride, gaining praise for its exploration of conspiracy, skepticism, and information in the modern world.
Plemons approached the role with serious intent, steering clear of making Teddy a caricature. Instead, his performance challenges audiences to question the boundaries between paranoia and justified suspicion.
I didn’t look at it as giving conspiracy theorists a platform,
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
I was thinking more about the world we’re living in, the state of truth and how we communicate with people we don’t agree with.
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
There’s a lot that Teddy is not right about,
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
But there’s something in that feeling — that things are being controlled by forces that don’t care about people — that’s very much in the air right now.
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
As part of his preparation, Plemons immersed himself in Naomi Klein’s “Doppelganger,” which examines contemporary conspiracy culture and how society navigates truth and misinformation. One takeaway was the realization that many people sense systems prioritize profit over humanity, often forced to accept this in order to function.
If you want to find a place to talk about that,
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
the majority of your options are these fringe groups that do have a little shred of truth in them. And then once you’re in, it just gets wilder.
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
“Bugonia” becomes, in this sense, a cautionary tale about the dangers of isolation and disenfranchisement, a narrative Lanthimos and Plemons crafted with attention to nuance.
The Director’s Perspective and On-Set Collaboration
Director Yorgos Lanthimos regards Plemons as an extraordinarily responsive performer, skilled in picking up on subtle shifts in the environment or cues from fellow actors, making collaboration both dynamic and rewarding. Lanthimos especially admires Plemons’ openness to having his work affected by others and circumstances.
He’s very sensitive to all kinds of emotions and triggers,
— Yorgos Lanthimos, Director
It’s beautiful to see the little things that can make him do something different — a word you tell him, something that changes in the room. He absorbs everything.
— Yorgos Lanthimos, Director
He allows the situation or the other actor to affect him,
— Yorgos Lanthimos, Director
That vulnerability and generosity are great qualities for an actor.
— Yorgos Lanthimos, Director
Initially, Plemons found the unique rehearsal process disorienting but quickly learned to embrace spontaneity, describing the experience as akin to “weird theater camp.”
The first few days, I was thoroughly confused,
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
Then something shifted. Some sense of abandon took hold, and it became like weird theater camp.
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
A pivotal moment came when Lanthimos offered a key piece of direction, which altered Plemons’ approach dramatically.
You are not in control. The universe is.
— Yorgos Lanthimos, Director
It came at exactly the right moment. Everything changed.
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
Working With Emma Stone and Expanding Horizons
Emma Stone, who stars with Plemons in “Bugonia” and is also a producer, values his dedication and the empathy he brings to their collaboration. Having worked together previously in “Kinds of Kindness,” Stone observed the fluidity and unpredictability in Plemons’s performances, which helped elevate their scenes together.
He cares so deeply about the work, but he’s also a good human being,
— Emma Stone, Actress
Those qualities together are rare. He’s never going to give less than everything he has.
— Emma Stone, Actress
He moves with you and surprises you,
— Emma Stone, Actress
He puts you on your back foot or disarms you in ways that are genuinely surprising. Sitting there and watching him do so much of this — like a literal captive audience — it was phenomenal.
— Emma Stone, Actress
Stone’s role in the film has her character observing Teddy, which created a dynamic of intense focus and reciprocation. Plemons’s adaptability provided a sense of discovery throughout their shared scenes.
Championing Inclusion in Casting and On-Set Relationships
One of “Bugonia’s” standout creative decisions was casting Aiden Delbis, who describes himself as autistic, in his feature debut as Don, Teddy’s cousin. The role was not written for an autistic actor, but Delbis’s involvement transformed the film’s emotional texture. For Plemons, whose own mother spent her career working with special needs children, Delbis’s participation made the project uniquely meaningful.
When Yorgos told me he was envisioning a nonprofessional actor, potentially someone who was neurodivergent, my initial thought was that it felt like progress,
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
Because the part isn’t written as an autistic person.
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
Yorgos wouldn’t have forced that into being if we hadn’t found Aiden,
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
But being who he is, Aiden fits that part in a way no one else could have. I hang out with them all the time. His family comes over, and we cook out and have pool parties.
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
Lanthimos, for his part, considers such inclusion to be both necessary and natural in contemporary filmmaking.
It’s being aware of these things,
— Yorgos Lanthimos, Director
Films are part of life. Why wouldn’t you be prepared for someone who’s autistic? Jesse was open to that process. He allowed Aiden to change him. That’s beautiful for an actor.
— Yorgos Lanthimos, Director
Plemons’s Approach to Praise, Comparisons, and Career Choices
Although lauded as a modern Philip Seymour Hoffman—a comparison inevitable since he is set to play a younger version of Hoffman’s Plutarch Heavensbee in
“The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping”
—Plemons is visibly uncomfortable with such analogies. He worked with Hoffman on Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The Master” and holds his legacy in the highest regard.
It feels too much. He’s one of the all-time greats.
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
Discussing his role in “Sunrise on the Reaping,” a prequel in the popular Hunger Games series filmed in Berlin alongside Glenn Close and Joseph Zada, Plemons describes the experience as enjoyable, yet self-effacingly downplays any behind-the-scenes anecdotes.
I don’t have many interesting things to say, other than it was a really nice experience.
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
Laura Dern’s reaction to Plemons’ performance in “Bugonia” left a deep impression, though the intensity of her praise made it difficult for him to fully absorb the moment.
Looking Ahead: Excitement Builds for “Digger” with Tom Cruise
Of his projects on the horizon, Plemons is especially enthusiastic about working with Tom Cruise on Alejandro González Iñárritu’s “Digger,” scheduled for release by Warner Bros. in October. The film reunites Plemons and Cruise, who previously collaborated on “American Made” in 2017.
It’s one of the strangest, funniest, most tragic scripts I’ve read,
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
There’s a kind of modern-day ‘Dr. Strangelove’ thing, and then it becomes something else entirely.
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
He refrained from divulging too many details, but was effusive about Cruise’s transformative performance in the film.
Getting to see Tom just go for it — not in a death-defying action way but fully showing what an incredible actor he is — that was thrilling.
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
The Tom Cruise Digger movie update comes as anticipation builds, with fans eager to see the actor take on a role described by Plemons as a departure from his typical action persona.
Balancing Hollywood, Family, and Creative Passions
While “Bugonia” and “Digger” occupy much of Plemons’s current professional life, he stays rooted through music and photography. Emma Stone, his frequent collaborator, notes that he is almost always seen with a camera—suggesting a need for creative outlets beyond acting. These interests provide not only escape but also a means to stay present amid the demands of the industry.
Plemons also expresses openness to revisiting lighter material, especially citing his fondness for the film “Game Night.”
I’d do a ‘Game Night’ sequel in a heartbeat,
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
Despite his on-screen acclaim, Plemons’s focus consistently returns to the essentials: his work, family, and simple domestic rituals. His ongoing efforts to maintain balance between ambitious projects and ordinary life underpin both his performances and personal happiness.
You really have to find this balance,
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
between doing all the work you need to feel ready and then relinquishing all your attachments.
— Jesse Plemons, Actor
Anticipation for What’s Next
Jesse Plemons embodies the complexity of a modern star who thrives on challenging roles, meaningful relationships, and maintaining a sense of normalcy. As “Bugonia” travels through awards season and “Digger” with Tom Cruise nears its release, Plemons remains introspective and understated, anchored by the support of family and friends, and ready for new artistic challenges wherever they may appear. With his Texas roots strong and his creative energy flowing, the Tom Cruise Digger movie update is just one of many exciting prospects on the horizon for this versatile actor.
