Inside Tom Cruise’s ‘Mission’ to Help John Goodman Win a Long-Overdue Award With Their Film ‘Digger’ (Exclusive)

Tom Cruise and John Goodman are schmoozing up a storm, a source tells Closer, as they get ready to promote their new film Digger.

“They are absolutely on the same page about making this film a profitable hit and something that lands with critics,” says the source — as well as the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.

Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, the satirical black comedy hits theaters Friday, October 2 and was “custom-designed” to get Cruise, 63, a Best Actor Oscar nomination, the source reveals, and Goodman, 73, his very first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

“Tom needs to remind a whole generation of fans that he’s more than just an action star and that John is a national treasure long overdue for some awards,” notes the source. “The mission is clear. Let’s see if he can pull it off!”

Win or lose, the two have built a rock-solid bromance in the process, Closer’s source reveals.

“John was Tom’s first choice for his job and John actually accepting the role was a win because John is picky about scripts and turns down a lot of films,” admits the source. “People love that man, they love his work, and he is taken seriously by everybody.”

Goodman is just as impressed with Cruise. “It’s great to see his work ethic at this time in my life,” he told the Television Academy in July. “It’s a nice shot in the arm — how seriously he takes it, and how much fun he has doing it. Forty years that guy’s been doing this.”

The Roseanne alum has been a fixture in show business for decades, too.

“John endorsing Tom by being in this film matters a lot as Tom sets out on this next chapter of his career,” says the source. “Nothing would make Tom happier than to help John finally win some awards for his film work.”