Del Toro and Cuarón Rally Behind Iñárritu as 'Digger' Fails at the Box Office
Guillermo del Toro and Alfonso Cuarón publicly defended Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s new film 'Digger' after it suffered a major box-office failure. The movie, starring Tom Cruise, earned only $8 million in its opening weekend against a budget estimated at $180 million. While critics and audiences largely panned the film, the two directors praised its ambition and scale, marking a rare public display of solidarity for their longtime collaborator.
Key points
- Guillermo del Toro called an IGN review of 'Digger' 'entirely petty,' praising the film's 'scale, ambition and reach' despite its poor reception.
- Alfonso Cuarón supported the film by posting old negative reviews of classic movies like 'Blade Runner' and '2001: A Space Odyssey' to argue that great films often face initial criticism.
- The film earned just $8 million in its opening weekend, with a budget estimated as high as $180 million, making it one of the year's biggest flops.
- Del Toro compared the current backlash to the initial negative reception of films like 'The Big Lebowski' and 'The King of Comedy,' which later gained appreciation.
- Tom Cruise also defended the film on social media, expressing pride in the collaboration and thanking the cast and crew.
Background
The three Mexican directors, known as the 'Three Amigos,' have a 30-year creative alliance that previously led to five directing Oscars in six years. Their recent success included high-grossing films like 'Gravity' and 'The Revenant.' 'Digger' is Iñárritu’s first Hollywood studio film since 'The Revenant,' following a 2022 Spanish-language release. The film's failure follows a similar box-office struggle for Bong Joon Ho’s 'Mickey 17' and occurs amidst the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger.
How outlets are covering it
The Hollywood Reporter emphasizes the long-standing personal and professional bond between the three directors, framing the defense as a continuation of their decades-long support. Deadline and Variety focus more on the immediate social media reactions, highlighting del Toro’s aggressive defense of the film's cinematic qualities against critics who called it a waste of money. Variety’s chief critic Owen Gleiberman criticized the film as 'top-heavy with importance' and 'ponderous,' contrasting sharply with del Toro’s praise for its 'bold' and 'complex' nature.
Why it matters
The failure of 'Digger' signals a potential shift in Hollywood’s willingness to invest nine-figure budgets in auteur-driven international directors. With the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger closing, the studio system may become more risk-averse, potentially ending the era of massive financial backing for experimental or high-concept films from Oscar-winning directors.
What to watch
The film is expected to continue its box-office decline, with estimates suggesting it will not recoup its $180 million budget. The long-term impact on Iñárritu’s career and the future of high-budget auteur films in Hollywood remains to be seen, particularly as the new combined studio navigates over $80 billion in debt.
- As ‘Digger’ Sinks, Hollywood’s Three Amigos Close Ranks The Hollywood Reporter
- Tom Cruise flop ‘Digger’ defended by Oscar-winning filmmaker Entertainment Weekly
- Guillermo del Toro Calls Out ‘Petty’ Reaction to Tom Cruise’s Major Flop Yahoo
- Guillermo Del Toro Buries 'Digger' In Praise, Slams "Petty" Review Deadline
- Guillermo Del Toro Defends ‘Digger,’ Calls the Film ‘Daring, Bold and Cinematically Complex’ Variety
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