Tom Cruise is standing by “Digger,” even as the satirical comedy heads for the weakest opening of his career in nearly two decades.
Warner Bros. released the Alejandro G. Iñárritu film Oct. 2. Industry projections put its debut weekend near $8 million, a thin return on a production budget reported at $125 million or higher. Some outlets cite a cost of $160 million to $180 million. The opening would be Cruise’s lowest since “Lions for Lambs” earned $6.7 million in 2007. That war drama played on far fewer screens and cost much less to make.
Cruise responded Saturday morning on social media with behind-the-scenes photos from the shoot. He thanked the cast and crew for their dedication and joy, called the experience unforgettable and wrote that he is “so proud of what we created.”
The numbers explain why the post drew attention. Audiences gave the film a C+ CinemaScore, and it holds a 51 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Deadline reported that the film is playing mainly on the coasts, with AMC Lincoln Square posting its best result. About 60 percent of ticket buyers were between 18 and 34, and over 70 percent were male. Iñárritu has said he made the movie for Gen Z.
“Digger” places Cruise far from the action franchises that built his box office record. He plays Digger Rockwell, an egotistical oil tycoon who triggers a natural disaster, and he wears a bald cap and a heavier frame for the part. The role echoes his earlier work in “Magnolia” and “Tropic Thunder.” Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons, Emma D’Arcy and Sophie Wilde fill out the cast.
Critics split on the film, but Cruise’s performance has drawn strong praise. That keeps a Best Actor nomination in play, which would put the film’s awards run at odds with its ticket sales.
Cruise has not waited long to pivot back to safer ground. He is preparing “Days of Thunder 2,” a sequel to his 1990 racing hit. Awards voters, not weekend grosses, will now decide how “Digger” is remembered.
