Tom Cruise, one of Hollywood’s most enduring action stars, is stepping into uncharted territory following the 2025 release of “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning,” widely viewed as his swan song as IMF agent Ethan Hunt. At 63, the actor shows no signs of slowing down, with a high-profile 2026 project generating buzz as his 50th film and a shift toward more original, auteur-driven storytelling.
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Cruise made a rare awards-season appearance in March 2026 at the 53rd Saturn Awards in Los Angeles, where he accepted Best Actor honors for his performance in “The Final Reckoning” and watched the film win Best Action/Adventure Film. In his speech, he expressed deep gratitude to longtime collaborator director Christopher McQuarrie, joking about the director’s attempts to “kill me so many times” through the franchise’s death-defying stunts. He received a standing ovation and emphasized his lifelong passion for movies and audiences.
The eighth “Mission: Impossible” installment, released in May 2025, concluded Cruise’s three-decade run as Ethan Hunt. While Cruise has teased that “many more” stories could come in the franchise, he confirmed at the film’s premiere and during promotion that it marked his final portrayal of the character. Rumors of a ninth film, including unverified reports of negotiations with director Chloé Zhao, have circulated but remain unconfirmed by Cruise or Paramount.
Instead, Cruise is channeling his trademark intensity into “Digger,” a mysterious comedy set for theatrical release on Oct. 2, 2026, from Warner Bros. Directed by Oscar winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu (“The Revenant,” “Birdman”), the project has been described by the filmmaker as “a brutal, wild comedy of catastrophic proportions.” Cruise shared the first teaser and poster on Instagram in December 2025, captioning it simply: “Introducing… DIGGER.”
The film marks Cruise’s first major original role in years outside major franchises and his 10th as both star and producer. It reunites him with Iñárritu in what insiders call a bold departure, featuring an ensemble cast including Jesse Plemons, John Goodman, Riz Ahmed, Sophie Wilde and Emma D’Arcy. A teaser trailer released late last year offered little plot detail, building intrigue around the “enigmatic” project that some compare tonally to Iñárritu’s darker satirical style or even Cruise’s memorable comedic turn in “Tropic Thunder.”
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Industry observers see “Digger” as a pivotal test for Cruise at the box office after nearly a decade dominated by sequels and reboots. It arrives as the actor, who turned 63 in July 2025, continues to prioritize physically demanding and creatively ambitious work. Production details remain closely guarded, but the collaboration with Iñárritu — known for visceral, auteur-driven cinema — signals Cruise’s desire to stretch beyond the stunt-heavy blockbusters that defined much of his recent career.
Cruise’s post-“Mission” slate also includes ongoing development on “Top Gun 3,” with Joseph Kosinski expected to return as director. The sequel to the 2022 blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick” remains in script stages, though no firm production timeline has been announced. Other long-gestating rumors, including a potential “Edge of Tomorrow” sequel with Emily Blunt and director Doug Liman, have surfaced in production listings for possible late 2026 shoots, but nothing is confirmed.
The actor has repeatedly pushed back against retirement speculation. During “The Final Reckoning” promotion, he made clear his commitment to big-screen cinema remains unwavering, telling audiences he loves making movies and values the theatrical experience above all. His hands-on approach to stunts and production has become legendary, with “Mission: Impossible” films consistently praised for practical effects over heavy CGI reliance.
Beyond the screen, Cruise’s personal life occasionally draws tabloid attention. In early 2026, unverified reports suggested friends were encouraging a reconnection with former co-star Meg Ryan following the reported end of a brief romance with Ana de Armas. Cruise and Ryan, who starred together in “Days of Thunder” decades ago, have remained friendly over the years, though both have stayed private about relationships.
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Cruise notably will not attend the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, dashing Italian media speculation that he might reprise a stunt-heavy role similar to his surprise appearance at the 2024 Paris Games opening ceremony. Sources confirmed he remained in Los Angeles during the February Games.
His enduring appeal was underscored in early 2026 when online polls and fan discussions named him among the most “impressive and promising” actors of the year — a testament to his ability to captivate audiences well into his 60s. Classic films from his catalog, including “Jerry Maguire” and “Edge of Tomorrow,” continue to find new viewers on streaming platforms, introducing younger generations to his work.
Cruise’s career trajectory reflects a rare balance of commercial dominance and creative risk-taking. From his breakthrough in “Risky Business” and “Top Gun” in the 1980s to Oscar-nominated turns in “Born on the Fourth of July,” “Jerry Maguire” and “Magnolia,” he has demonstrated range while building one of Hollywood’s most reliable box-office brands. The “Mission: Impossible” series alone has grossed billions worldwide, with each installment raising the bar for practical action sequences.
As he approaches his 50th film with “Digger,” Cruise continues to embody the ethos of old-school movie stardom: commitment to craft, audience connection and theatrical exhibition. In an era of franchise fatigue and streaming dominance, his insistence on delivering spectacle on the big screen resonates with fans and theater owners alike.
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Looking ahead, the October 2026 release of “Digger” will likely dominate Cruise-related conversation throughout the year. Early buzz suggests the film could position the actor for awards consideration in a comedic or dramatic vein, potentially adding to his legacy beyond action hero status. Iñárritu’s involvement raises expectations for a film that blends humor, intensity and emotional depth.
Cruise maintains a relatively low public profile between projects, focusing on training, development and family. He has three children from previous marriages and has spoken occasionally about the importance of balance, though work remains his primary passion.
In recent interviews and appearances, including at the Saturn Awards, Cruise reiterated his love for cinema and gratitude toward collaborators and fans. “I feel so privileged to be able to do what I do,” he said in his acceptance speech, a sentiment that encapsulates his four-decade journey from young heartthrob to global icon.
As Hollywood navigates shifting audience habits and production challenges, Tom Cruise stands as a steadfast advocate for the movie theater experience. Whether scaling skyscrapers as Ethan Hunt or diving into the unknown with “Digger,” his next act promises to deliver the same intensity and charisma that have defined his career.
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Fans can expect more updates on “Digger” and potential “Top Gun 3” developments as 2026 progresses. For now, the star who once declared he would “do my own stunts” until he physically cannot appears determined to keep audiences on the edge of their seats for years to come.
Sequoia Capital partner Konstantine Buhler discusses Waymo and the companies showcased at the HumanX conference on ‘The Claman Countdown.’
Yum Brands is reportedly in exclusive talks to sell Pizza Hut to private-equity firm LongRange Capital, according to a report citing a source familiar with the matter.
The potential transaction would mark a significant shift for one of America’s most recognizable pizza chains and underscores growing consolidation across the restaurant industry as operators navigate slowing consumer demand and higher costs.
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The discussions could result in a deal within several weeks, although no agreement has been reached and there is no guarantee the talks will lead to a transaction, Reuters reported Friday.
Yum said last year it was evaluating strategic alternatives for Pizza Hut, including a potential sale, as the chain worked to reverse a prolonged sales slump.
A Pizza Hut restaurant in New York. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
According to Reuters, Pizza Hut generated about 12% of Yum’s revenue in 2025 and has reported declining U.S. comparable sales for 10 straight quarters.
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Reuters previously reported that LongRange Capital was among several firms interested in acquiring Pizza Hut. Apollo Global Management and Sycamore Partners were also reported to have explored potential bids for the chain.
Yum said last year it was evaluating strategic alternatives for Pizza Hut. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The reported talks come as restaurant companies face softer consumer demand and elevated operating costs, creating potential turnaround opportunities for investors focused on established brands.
Pizza Hut rival Papa John’s has also drawn acquisition interest. Reuters reported earlier this month that investment firm Irth Capital Management was working with the company’s largest U.S. franchisee on a proposal to take the pizza chain private.
The potential Pizza Hut sale highlights how major restaurant brands are increasingly evaluating strategic transactions to improve performance and shareholder returns in a challenging operating environment.
The announcement of a megadeal between Berkshire Hathaway and top 10, publicly traded homebuilder Taylor Morrison Home came as a surprise to most in the industry. The consensus, however, is that it makes perfect sense and may signal optimism in a currently beleaguered housing market.
Berkshire Hathaway agreed Sunday to acquire the nation’s sixth-largest publicly traded builder in a $6.8 billion deal. The offer represents a 24% premium to the homebuilder’s closing price on May 29 and values the company at about $8.5 billion, including debt.
It comes at a time when the U.S. housing market is struggling under higher and volatile mortgage rates as well as higher costs for construction and weaker consumer confidence. The war with Iran has also dealt a blow to the housing market.
Taylor Morrison put out a somewhat aggressive, multiyear growth plan just about 15 months ago.
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“We’ve certainly seen some shifts in the market, so the targets we put out, we stand behind. The timing certainly might have been at risk,” said Sheryl Palmer, CEO of Taylor Morrison, in an interview with CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” Monday. “I think one of the things we’re so excited about is homebuilding runs in 5-, 7-, 10-year cycles. Berkshire thinks in probably 7-, 10-[year] and longer cycles. That alignment is very rare.”
It’s that longer-term horizon that most analysts say is why the time is right for a deal.
“What it says is that very sophisticated buyers think the valuations have bottomed,” said Margaret Whelan, founder and CEO of Whelan Advisory, which specializes in homebuilder M&A. “I assume sophisticated buyers would wait and buy later or pay less if they thought the market was still going down.”
Stock values anticipate fundamental turns, Whelan explained, “so that means that the housing market itself is probably starting to bottom here soon, which is good, because I don’t think anyone really knew that when we don’t know what’s going on with the rates.”
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John Burns, founder and CEO of John Burns Research and Consulting, noted the outlook for the housing market over the next few years isn’t bright, and stocks have been punished as a result.
“But long-term thinkers like Berkshire Hathaway and the Japanese companies are seeing that as a platform to buy great companies for the long term, and it’s really that simple,” Burns said.
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U.S. homebuilders have recently been the target of Japanese buyers. Sumitomo Forestry just closed on a $4.5 billion deal to purchase Tri Pointe Homes. All told, Japanese companies now own 33 homebuilders that operate in the U.S.
“Many [homebuilder] stocks are valued at or below book value right now because of the short-term outlook for the industry, which is exactly the time that long-term oriented investors can find great bargains,” Burns said.
Dream Finders Homes recently tried to acquire Beazer Homes for roughly $704 million, but Beazer’s board rejected the bid, saying in a release that it “significantly undervalued” the company.
Berkshire is buying in before the housing market mounts an expected recovery.
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Sales of newly built homes were 11.3% lower in April year over year, according to a government reading. Both single-family housing starts and building permits were also lower annually. Homebuilder sentiment has been stuck in negative territory for the past two years, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index.
“Maybe that means it’s going to bounce along the bottom for two years. I doubt it. I think we have pent-up demand,” Whelan said, adding that she expects the war with Iran to be over by next spring. “I think we’ll be ready for it in ’27, so buying six months early is not that much of a stretch for a company like that.”
Correction: This article has been updated to correct the name of John Burns Research and Consulting.
The cities were twinned in 2001 and recently celebrated their economic and business ties
15:10, 01 Jun 2026Updated 15:16, 01 Jun 2026
A delegation from Guangzhou visited Bristol as part of celebrations to mark 25 years since the two cities were twinned(Image: Bristol & West of England China Bureau)
Bristol is planning to bolster its trading relationship with China’s Guangzhou as the two cities mark 25 years of twinning. A delegation from the Chinese port city, which is based to the north west of Hong Kong on the bank of the Pearl River, visited the West of England to celebrate the economic ties between the two locations.
The five-strong group from Guangzhou’s municipal government spent three days in London before travelling to Bristol to meet members of the city’s business, political and academic community.
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Also present was Peter Insole, principal historic environment officer and urban design team manager at Bristol City Council, who created the Bristol history mapping resource Know Your Place.
The visit – organised by Bristol & West of England China Bureau – involved visits to the Clifton Suspension Bridge; Ashton Court; Wong’s Restaurant, on Denmark Street; and the Guangzhou Garden at the University of Bristol’s Botanic Garden.
During the visit, Wen Yanji, deputy secretary-general of Guangzhou municipal government, proposed increased cooperation with Bristol across economic and trade activity, education and urban governance.
“This year marks the 25th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Guangzhou and Bristol,” he said.
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“Over the past quarter of a century, our two cities have advanced hand in hand, witnessed each other’s development and forged a deep and enduring friendship.
“From trade and business to people-to-people exchanges, from educational cooperation to urban governance, our collaboration has delivered fruitful results and stands as a fine example of local cooperation between China and the UK.”
Councillor Yassin Mohamud, Lord Mayor of Bristol, said: “As we mark this anniversary year, we do so with pride in what we have achieved together, and with confidence in what the future holds.
“Bristol values its friendship with Guangzhou deeply, and we look forward to continuing this partnership for many years to come.”
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Dianne Francombe, chief executive of Bristol & West of England China Bureau, added: “We look forward to the next 25 years of engagement with Guangzhou and our partners in the Greater Bay area.”
Project was called ‘recipe for disaster’ by local councillor
Belinda Ryan and Local Democracy Reporter
16:00, 01 Jun 2026
An illustrative masterplan of how the Wistaston 660-home scheme could look(Image: Turley, from planning documents)
Controversial plans to build 660 homes and a 60-bed care home in the open countryside at Wistaston have been narrowly approved despite being branded ‘a recipe for disaster’ by a ward councillor.
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The development, which also includes a neighbourhood centre, is earmarked for a 44-hectare site to the east of Middlewich Road and will be accessed by a new three-arm roundabout on Wistaston Green Road.
About 120 residents objected to the proposal and were backed at yesterday’s (Wednesday) strategic planning board meeting (SPB) by ward councillors Margaret Simon (Con) and Alan Coiley (Lab) as visiting members.
Cllr Simon told the meeting: “660 homes accessed from a new roundabout on an already over-used, narrow country land which is prone to flooding is a recipe for disaster.”
She added: “Because of its location this development would not, as stated [by the applicant] enhance the regeneration of Crewe, its new residents would gravitate towards Nantwich for both schools and shopping.”
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Cllr Coiley raised concerns about highways, including the need to reduce the speed limit to 20mph, the impact on wildlife and the need for any money from the developer to be spent in Wistaston.
David Diggle, the planning agent representing The Harworth Group, told the SPB: “Cheshire East currently has a significant shortfall in deliverable housing land, and this creates an urgent need to approve sustainable housing proposals now.”
He said the scheme included 198 affordable homes, significant highways and active travel improvements and more than 20 hectares of green infrastructure.
But his later response to questions about sustainability left Crewe councillor Marilyn Houston ‘flabbergasted’.
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She asked what research had been done to suggest people in the new development on the edge of Wistaston and close to Nantwich would go to Crewe.
“On what planet would anybody think that someone would rent a bike and cycle to Crewe?” she asked.
Cllr Houston (Lab) also raised highways concerns saying: “I think that the access is going to be very, very problematic.
“I’m even minded to defer, if it possibly could be, to look at the build-up of traffic on Wistaston Green Road, and the very obvious need for a widening of that road.”
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Wistaston councillor Margaret Simon (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
But the Crewe councillor said because the council doesn’t have a five-year housing land supply ‘it is very difficult for us to look at opposing an application like this’.
“I think previously we would have wanted to, because of the green gap and the loss of agricultural land etc, so I find myself in a very difficult situation,” she said.
Prestbury councillor Thelma Jackson (Con) said the development shouldn’t be built on farmland, ‘which is so important to our lives’.
She added: “There are so many brownfield sites that need doing, but it’s more expensive, so they don’t do it. It’s easier to dig a hole in a green field.”
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The application had been recommended for approval by planning officers, and head of planning David Malcolm said he sensed reluctance from councillors to move approval.
The application site for the 660-home development is east of Middlewich Road, Wistaston(Image: Google/CEC planning docs)
“I appreciate the concerns… it’s really difficult for members, and residents particularly, who are having to endure these applications on their doorsteps, but government policy is absolutely clear at the moment, in terms of the drive for housing,” said Mr Malcolm.
Cllr Houston moved the outline application be approved, subject to conditions, and this was seconded by Crewe councillor Ben Wye (Lab).
The vote was tied, with four councillors voting for approval, four against and one abstaining.
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The application was approved on the casting vote of acting SPB chair, Cllr Garnet Marshall.
To find all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more in your community, visit the Public Notices Portal.
Three Rivers, Michigan USA, 29 March 2026, Members of the United Auto Workers rally for better wages as contract negotiations begin with American Axle (aka Dauch Corp.).
Jim West | Universal Images Group | Getty Images
DETROIT – Nearly 1,000 workers at a Michigan supplier plant that makes parts for General Motors pickup trucks went on strike Monday after not reaching a new contract with the company.
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The United Auto Workers union on Monday confirmed workers at an axle and components plant in Three Rivers, Mich. for Dauch Corp. (formerly known as American Axle and Manufacturing) walked out of the factory and onto picket lines at 12:01 a.m. ET Monday.
The union did not release a full list of demands, but said in a press release Sunday night that workers are still trying to regain wages lost during the Great Recession.
“We’ll stay out on strike until this company comes to its senses,” UAW President Shawn Fain said during a Sunday video announcement. “The full force of the UAW international union will be standing with these workers. So, American Axle, time is up. No contract, no axles.”
The union said longtime workers who were making as much as $29 an hour saw their wages slashed to $14.50 in 2008. Current wages top out at $22 an hour after a five-year progression, the union said.
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A spokesman for Dauch in an emailed statement called the strike “disappointing.” He did not immediately respond to a question about bargaining details.
Three Rivers, Michigan USA, 29 March 2026, Members of the United Auto Workers rally for better wages as contract negotiations begin with American Axle (aka Dauch Corp.).
Jim West | Universal Images Group | Getty Images
“The company believes that the best outcomes for everyone – our associates, the union, and the company – are reached at the bargaining table. We remain committed to negotiating with the union in good faith and hope to promptly reach a fair agreement,” the company statement read.
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A spokesman for GM said the automaker “is closely monitoring the situation” and “assessing any potential impact.” As of Monday, production at GM’s plants was operating as usual.
The impacted plant produces axles for GM’s Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon midsize pickup trucks as well as its heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. Other production includes smaller components for the Detroit automaker’s light-duty Silverado and Sierra pickups as well as parts of Stellantis’ Chrysler Pacifica minivan, a union spokesman confirmed.
Stellantis did not immediately respond to a request to comment.
Josh Jager, a 24-year American Axle employee and chairman of the bargaining committee for UAW Local 2093, which represents the striking workers, told the Wall Street Journal that GM appears to have about two weeks’ worth of axles in stock.
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to discuss inflation risks, consumer spending, Federal Reserve policy and why he believes fixing government policy could boost economic growth.
Red Lobster is closing its Times Square restaurant after more than two decades in one of the world’s busiest tourist destinations.
The restaurant, located at 5 Times Square, is scheduled to close June 14, ending a high-profile presence the seafood chain has maintained in the heart of Manhattan since 2003.
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“Times Square has been an important chapter in Red Lobster’s history, and this was a difficult decision,” the company said in a statement.
Red Lobster said extensive and prolonged construction at the building has significantly impacted access, visibility and foot traffic at the restaurant. The company also cited the property’s planned conversion to residential use, saying continued operations at the location were no longer viable.
The Red Lobster restaurant in Times Square is scheduled to close on June 14. (Craig T Fruchtman/Getty Images)
“We are grateful to the team members and guests who have made this restaurant special over the years,” the company said.
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The closure comes as Red Lobster continues efforts to rebuild the business after emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2024. The seafood chain filed for bankruptcy in May of that year after closing dozens of restaurants nationwide amid mounting financial pressures.
The Red Lobster restaurant has been located in Times Square for more than 20 years. (Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
A bankruptcy court later approved the company’s reorganization plan, allowing Red Lobster to exit Chapter 11 under new ownership backed by Fortress Investment Group. At the time, the company said it would continue operating as an independent company with 544 locations across 44 states and four Canadian provinces.
As part of the restructuring, RL Investor Holdings LLC, an entity backed by Fortress Investment Group, acquired the company. Damola Adamolekun took over as CEO following the reorganization and has led efforts to revive the iconic seafood chain.
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Red Lobster has not indicated that the Times Square closure is part of a broader round of restaurant shutdowns.
People walk through Times Square in New York City. (Craig T Fruchtman/Getty Images)
The Times Square restaurant has occupied a prominent corner location at 41st Street and Seventh Avenue since 2003, serving tourists and theatergoers visiting the area.
Red Lobster said all affected employees will be offered the opportunity to transfer to another company location and will receive additional pay to support them through the transition.
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