Cruise's 'Digger' Opens Weak as Warner Bros. Leadership Exits Amid Paramount Merger

Key points

• Thursday previews for 'Digger' grossed $1.2 million, with weekend estimates ranging from $12 million to $19 million against a $125 million budget.
• Warner Bros. film chiefs Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy are exiting the studio ahead of the Paramount Skydance merger, which is expected to close on October 6.
• The film has a 52% Rotten Tomatoes score, with critics split between praising its ambition and criticizing its pretentiousness.
• Amazon MGM's 'Verity' is expected to top the weekend with $4.5 million in previews and a projected opening of $27 million to $30 million.
• Warner Bros. has generated only $437.7 million in domestic revenue this year, compared to $1.8 billion at this point last year.

Background

This development follows earlier reports that Tom Cruise advocated for a 30-film annual slate under the Paramount-Warner merger, emphasizing the need for abundant productions to sustain Hollywood. Previous coverage noted that 'Digger' faced significant commercial risk due to its high budget and mixed critical reception, exacerbating Warner Bros.' poor 2026 performance. The studio's 2025 success, highlighted by Oscar-winning films like 'Sinners' and 'One Battle After Another,' contrasts sharply with the current year's struggles, including the underperformance of 'The Bride!' and 'Supergirl.'

How outlets are covering it

The Hollywood Reporter and Los Angeles Times emphasize the commercial failure of 'Digger' and its impact on Warner Bros.' financial standing, noting the studio's weak 2026 performance and the impending merger. Scientific American focuses on the scientific inaccuracies in the film's climate disaster plot, arguing that the depicted iceberg event is unrealistic. IndieWire, however, defends the film as a masterpiece, praising its ambition and Cruise's performance, and arguing that critics have misjudged its artistic value. These differing perspectives highlight the film's divisive reception and the broader challenges facing Warner Bros. as it transitions to new leadership under Paramount Skydance.

Why it matters

The weak opening of 'Digger' underscores the financial and creative challenges facing Warner Bros. as it merges with Paramount Skydance. The film's underperformance, combined with the departure of key leadership, signals potential shifts in the studio's strategy and output. As the combined company faces significant debt and must deliver hits to offset financial risks, the success or failure of films like 'Digger' will influence future decisions and the studio's ability to compete in the market. Additionally, the film's mixed critical reception and commercial struggle highlight the risks of ambitious projects in a changing industry landscape.

What to watch

The Paramount Skydance acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery is expected to close on October 6, with Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein set to oversee the film side for both studios. The combined company will face pressure to deliver hits to manage its $80 billion debt, with future titles like 'Dune: Part Three' and a 'Minecraft' sequel expected to improve revenue next year. The departure of Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy marks a significant transition in Warner Bros.' leadership, potentially shifting the studio's focus from auteur-driven stories to blockbuster fare. The film's performance in the coming weeks will be closely watched as an indicator of the studio's future direction and financial health.