Tom Cruise Faces Box Office Setback with ‘Digger’
Tom Cruise, renowned as one of Hollywood’s most successful movie stars, experienced a rare downfall at the box office with the release of Digger. This dark comedy, directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, marks a significant setback in Cruise’s storied career.
Cruise’s decision to keep Paramount’s Top Gun: Maverick exclusive to theaters during the pandemic proved monumental. The film grossed $1.5 billion worldwide, reaffirming his role as a pivotal figure in safeguarding traditional cinema. Despite this legacy, Digger recorded one of the lowest debuts, earning only $8 million domestically and $12 million internationally. The film’s production budget ranged from $125 million to $150 million, with another $100 million spent on marketing.
“Given his extraordinary history with Paramount, the timing certainly adds an interesting layer to the story, but one movie doesn’t erase decades of success or the value he brings to a studio,” stated Paul Dergarabedian from Rentrak to Fox News Digital.
Dergarabedian believes there are key insights to glean from Digger. Studios will likely reflect on budgeting, positioning, and setting realistic expectations. However, he asserts that this performance won’t deter future collaborations with Cruise.
In contrast, Amazon MGM’s Verity, an erotic psychological thriller by Michael Showalter, claimed the weekend’s top spot with $32.6 million. With stars like Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett, it became another success in the series of adaptations of Colleen Hoover’s work.
The second place went to Resident Evil by Zach Cregger, earning $12.5 million. Heart of the Beast, starring Brad Pitt, followed with $11 million. Lance Oppenheim’s Primetime and Digger rounded out the top five.
Critics were less than kind to Digger, as reflected by its 51% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Cruise’s promotional efforts included a special GQ interview and a premiere event in London with attendees like Prince William, Princess Catherine, and David Beckham with his sons.
The film’s lackluster reception coincides with Paramount Skydance completing their acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery in a $110 billion transaction. Still, Dergarabedian emphasized Cruise’s undiminished appeal in Hollywood. He pointed out that Digger was a challenging commercial venture, unlike the action-packed franchises that typically define Cruise’s filmography.
He concluded that merely having Tom Cruise in the lead role was not enough to ensure Digger would achieve blockbuster status. The movie was never intended to fit within the typical Cruise blockbuster mold.