Del Toro Defends 'Digger' Amid Box Office Collapse

Key points

• Guillermo del Toro praised 'Digger' on X, calling it 'daring, bold and cinematically complex' and a 'decidedly theatrical experience.'
• The film, directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and starring Tom Cruise, has a 51% Rotten Tomatoes score and a C+ CinemaScore.
• 'Digger' earned $3.4 million on its Friday release, with an estimated $7.5 million opening weekend, far below its $125 million budget.
• Del Toro compared the negative reviews to those of 'The Big Lebowski,' 'The King of Comedy,' and 'The Counselor,' which later gained appreciation.
• Tom Cruise also defended the film on X, stating he was 'honored' to work with the cast and crew.

Background

This controversy follows earlier reports of 'Digger's' poor box office performance and mixed critical reception. The film's release coincides with significant leadership changes at Warner Bros., including the ousting of co-CEOs Pamela Abdy and Mike De Luca. Del Toro and Iñárritu have a long-standing professional relationship, often collaborating on projects.

How outlets are covering it

Variety and Deadline highlight del Toro's defense of the film, emphasizing his praise for its theatrical ambition. The Hollywood Reporter notes del Toro's comparison of 'Digger' to past controversial Warner Bros. releases, such as 'The Devils.' A.V. Club critic Monica Castillo criticized the film for prioritizing cinematographic tricks over substance, noting that its environmental message 'lands with a duh.'

Why it matters

The poor performance of 'Digger' underscores the challenges facing high-budget films in a changing market. It also highlights the ongoing debate about the value of theatrical experiences versus streaming, as del Toro advocates for the former.

What to watch

The film is expected to continue struggling at the box office, with estimates of a $7.5 million opening weekend. Del Toro's next project is 'The Buried Giant,' a stop-motion animated adaptation for Netflix.