Tom Cruise stars in Alejandro Inarritu brutal comedy ‘July,’ a new film from the Oscar-winning Mexican director, which has finished filming in London and is slated for release next autumn. The movie marks a bold shift in genre for both Cruise and Iñárritu, with the filmmaker teasing unexpected elements and a wild comedic tone.
A Bold New Direction for Tom Cruise and Alejandro Iñárritu
Tom Cruise, currently age 62 and in the midst of promoting his latest “Mission: Impossible” installment, has wrapped up work on a very different project—Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s tentatively titled ‘July.’ The director, renowned for his dramatic films, describes this upcoming movie as a “brutal comedy of catastrophic proportions,” and emphasized its unpredictable nature. The film’s production concluded in London, gearing up for a release in the autumn of next year.
Iñárritu offered a glimpse into the project for The Hollywood Reporter, revealing the challenges of tackling comedy for both himself and Cruise. He explained the unique demands of the genre and how it pushed both artist and actor outside of their comfort zones.
“It’s scary and funny and beautiful. I know comedy is not what people expect from me, or Tom, and making this film was terrifying for me, but I don’t like to repeat myself, and every film should scare you a little.”
—Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Director
Creative Influences and Performances
The tone of ‘July’ has been compared to Iñárritu’s 2014 hit ‘Birdman,’ a film celebrated for its dark comedic style. Iñárritu praised Tom Cruise for bringing full dedication and a sense of “total madness” to the role, indicating the performance will surprise viewers. The director called attention to Cruise’s commitment and sense of humor on set, which helped bring the ambitious project to life.
Joining Cruise in the ensemble cast are Sandra Hüller, Jesse Plemons, Riz Ahmed, Emma D’Arcy, Sophie Wilde, Michael Stuhlbarg, and John Goodman. Iñárritu shared his admiration for Hüller, especially after first seeing her in ‘Toni Erdmann’ during the Cannes Film Festival in 2017. He revealed he has wanted to work with her since that encounter, finally making it happen with ‘July.’
Upcoming Release and Post-Production Timeline
With principal photography complete, Iñárritu stated that the editing process would begin soon, ensuring the movie stays on track for its planned autumn debut. The international cast and the comedic direction have increased anticipation among audiences, who are curious to see Cruise and Iñárritu take on a genre neither is known for.
Alejandro Iñárritu’s Cinematic Legacy
As work on ‘July’ continues, Iñárritu is also celebrating the 25th anniversary of his breakthrough film, ‘Amores Perros,’ which starred Gael Garcia Bernal. When the film was originally made in Mexico, the country produced very few movies each year. Iñárritu recalled the challenges at the time, saying he poured all of his personal and cultural experiences into the film.
“All the contradictions, the rage, the love, the chaos of Mexico City — it’s all in there. That’s why it’s messy. That’s why it’s alive.”
—Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Director
The director has planned to commemorate ‘Amores Perros’ with a special visual installation that will tour Milan, Mexico City, and Los Angeles. In addition, the film will return to cinemas, giving new audiences the chance to experience it on the big screen rather than just on their phones.
“So that young people can see it on the big screen, not just on one of these [phones].”
—Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Director
What to Expect Next
As editing starts for ‘July,’ all eyes are on how the film will transcend traditional genre expectations, especially with Tom Cruise leading the cast under Iñárritu’s direction. With its planned release next autumn, both longtime fans and moviegoers eager for something different are looking forward to how this “brutal comedy” will unfold and what surprises the team has in store.
