For his new film “Digger,” Tom Cruise transforms into Digger Rockwell, a wealthy oil tycoon who was not blessed with Cruise’s own good looks. In order to put on all the prosthetics for the role, the actor was originally sitting in hair and makeup for six hours — until he convinced the team they could do it faster. Speaking on Travis and Jason Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast on Friday, Cruise peeled back the curtain into his transformation — which included sporting a fat suit — and how he made it “more efficient.” “The first time we did the makeup, it took six hours, OK?” Cruise told the Kelces, adding that he started doing the mental math and knew that wasn’t going to work with his schedule.
They keep saying I need more… but OK, that’s 12,” he continued. So now that’s six hours on, two hours off with the makeup.” To streamline the process, Cruise said he showed up with a chalkboard and started timing how long it took to put each prosthetic on. By the time we’re done, we’re going to get it under an hour,'” Cruise said.
So can we agree that we’ll maybe make it a little less?’ So with each piece that was going on, it was timed and then we’d drill and practice.” It worked, and they eventually got his makeup and prosthetics routine down to under an hour. The films that I make, I’m constantly going, how can I do it better?” Although Cruise successfully shortened his time in the makeup chair, the practicality of wearing the fat suit and prosthetics was still difficult. And the scenes, they’re long takes and the rhythm of it — you really have to know what you’re doing,” Cruise said.
Cruise said he’s been working with Iñárritu on the movie for seven years and was drawn to the project because of his artistry and “what I’m looking to challenge myself with.” “I want to make a lot of movies and I love working with different directors, I love learning from them, seeing their stories, setting the table for them, giving them opportunities,” Cruise said. His passion for this collaboration is part of why Cruise doesn’t necessarily want to direct himself. I can’t wait,” Cruise said.
Watch Cruise’s full appearance on “New Heights” below.
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