The Mission: Impossible star says he works seven days a week while preparing for his upcoming film Digger

Tom Cruise has revealed why he rarely takes a break from acting, saying he enjoys working seven days a week and constantly prepares for future projects.

In a new interview with Empire magazine, the 64-year-old actor explained that preparation remains a major part of his approach to filmmaking.

“I work seven days a week. I’m constantly studying and training on different things that I’m preparing for in the future,” Cruise said.

“The thing I really try to focus on is how to prepare. Prep, prep, prep, prep, prep for everything,” the Mission: Impossible star added.

Cruise is currently preparing for the release of his upcoming film Digger, in which he plays an ageing wealthy oil tycoon named Digger Rockwell.

The satirical dark comedy required extensive makeup and demanding working hours, according to the actor.

“The first time I put the makeup on, it was six hours,” Cruise recalled.

He explained that the prosthetic makeup created additional challenges while filming.

“And you have to understand, the makeup is here [pointing to his head] and heat comes out of your skull,” he said.

Cruise also revealed that he had to carefully manage his energy while working on the film to ensure he could deliver the required performance.

“I have my energy resources, in terms of what it’s going to take to get that performance,” he explained.

The actor said he eventually calculated that the production involved extremely long working days.

 “I started doing the math. It was 19-hour days, basically. There were times I actually slept at the lot, in a trailer, overnight,” added the Top Gun star.

Despite the demanding schedule, Cruise’s comments highlight his continued commitment to preparation and filmmaking as he enters another major phase of his career.

Digger is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on October 2, 2026.