Cruise's 'Digger' Fails to Launch, Marking End of Warner Bros. Era

Key points

• The film grossed only $8 million in North America and $12 million internationally, totaling $20 million against a production budget estimated between $125 million and $180 million.
• Warner Bros. is set to merge with Paramount Skydance following a $110 billion deal approved by a US district court, with mass layoffs anticipated after the merger closes.
• The film’s failure contrasts with the previous year’s 'One Battle After Another,' which grossed $213.2 million and won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
• Audiences gave the film a 'C+' CinemaScore, and critics largely panned it as a strained climate change farce, though Cruise’s performance received some praise.
• The film’s poor debut is Cruise’s worst since 2017’s 'The Mummy,' which opened with $31 million.

Background

Prior to its release, 'Digger' generated polarizing critical reactions, with praise for Cruise’s transformative performance but criticism for its execution. The film was positioned as an awards-season heavyweight, similar to 'One Battle After Another,' but faced significant box office concerns due to its high budget and mixed reviews.

How outlets are covering it

The Guardian and ABC News emphasize the film’s catastrophic box office performance and its significance as a final note for Warner Bros. before its merger with Paramount. USA Today highlights the contrast between 'Digger’s' poor performance and the strong debut of 'Verity,' a Colleen Hoover adaptation. All sources agree on the film’s financial failure but differ in their emphasis: The Guardian and ABC News focus on the studio’s strategic shift, while USA Today notes the broader context of Cruise’s career and the success of other films.

Why it matters

The failure of 'Digger' signals a potential shift in Hollywood’s strategy, as Paramount’s new management may move away from big, auteur-driven films. It also raises questions about Cruise’s future in dramatic roles and the viability of high-budget original stories in a market dominated by franchises and adaptations.

What to watch

Paramount is expected to close the merger with Warner Bros. Discovery on Tuesday, followed by mass layoffs. The new management, including David Ellison, Josh Greenstein, and Dana Goldberg, will decide the future direction of Warner Bros. films. Cruise is set to star in 'Days of Thunder 2,' scheduled for summer 2028, which may help him bounce back from 'Digger’s' failure.