The new film “Digger,” starring American actor Tom Cruise, was originally scheduled to premiere in Hong Kong in early October. However, on the eve of the release, several cinema websites in Hong Kong and Macau no longer displayed screening schedules. There are rumors that the change in screening dates is related to sensitive dialogue and political satire in the film, but the producers have not yet disclosed the reasons. Meanwhile, the release schedule in Taiwan remains unchanged.
According to reports from Hong Kong media, “Digger” was set to have a sneak preview on October 1st in Hong Kong, followed by an official release on the next day. However, leading up to the premiere, audiences were unable to find showtimes for the film on various cinema websites in Hong Kong and Macau, and ticket reservations were not available.
Attempts by “Hong Kong 01” to inquire with the film’s promotional team yielded no response. As of the time of reporting, the new screening dates for Hong Kong and Macau had not been announced. In contrast, in Taiwan, the film is still slated to have an advance screening on October 1st, followed by the official release on the subsequent day. Currently, there is no announced release date for the film in mainland China.
Reports from “Lianhe Zaobao” suggest that the film may be undergoing changes due to its inclusion of “sensitive dialogue” and “political satire,” potentially necessitating edits with the consent of the director and producers before rescheduling. However, these claims have not been confirmed.
“Digger” is a disaster comedy in which Tom Cruise portrays a powerful oil tycoon leading a project that spirals out of control, resulting in a catastrophic disaster. He then attempts to shed his image as the perpetrator and convince the world that he alone can save it.
The related news has sparked discussions among film enthusiasts. One netizen mentioned that the film trailer had been running for some time, and they had been looking forward to watching it early, only to be surprised by its sudden withdrawal in Hong Kong and Macau before the release.
Another netizen observed the film’s absence on ticket platforms in Hong Kong, prompting questions about the film’s chances of being screened in mainland China. A Weibo user commented, saying, “It’s definitely not about violence or obscenities, as those can be censored. Is it all about politics now?” While someone else expressed curiosity, stating, “How explosive is this film? I’m really intrigued!”
The disappearance of “Digger” showings in Hong Kong and Macau raises questions about potential censorship issues. With the Chinese Communist Party’s stringent enforcement of the “Hong Kong National Security Law” and the tightening of the “Film Censorship Ordinance” in 2021, films are now subject to scrutiny for “national security” concerns. Following the legislative amendments, the Secretary for Home Affairs can order the revocation of screening approvals or exemptions on national security grounds.
In a similar incident, the Taiwanese film “Our Family Matters” was originally scheduled to be showcased at the 2025 Summer International Film Festival in Hong Kong on August 16th and 18th, but both screenings were abruptly canceled before commencement. The organizers cited the film’s failure to meet the modification requirements set by the Hong Kong Ethics, Newspapers and Article Management Office. Subsequently, Taiwanese film distributors revealed that the film could not pass the review due to its visuals and language, and in order to preserve the integrity of the work, they decided against making alterations.