The film stars Tom Cruise in the lead alongside an ensemble cast of Sandra Hüller, John Goodman, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons, Sophie Wilde, and Riz Ahmed.
In February 2024, it was announced that Alejandro G. Iñárritu would be directing his first English-language film since The Revenant (2015), which he co-wrote and co-produced.
Tom Cruise was cast in the lead role after attending a meeting with Iñárritu, following his strategic partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures.
[1] In August, Sandra Hüller, John Goodman, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons and Sophie Wilde would be added to the cast, with Riz Ahmed in negotiations to also join.
[2] Principal photography began in the United Kingdom on November 7, 2024, with Emmanuel Lubezki serving as the cinematographer.