Tom Cruise’s new film “Digger” is on track to lose about $245 million for Warner Bros., according to Variety estimates reported by the Guardian and the BBC. The satirical black comedy fell about 60% in its second weekend.
The numbers
Variety estimates “Digger” took in about $3.2 million in North America in its second weekend, down from an $8 million opening, the Guardian reports. That puts its U.S. and Canada total at about $14.4 million and its worldwide total at about $35.3 million. Variety projects a final worldwide gross of around $50 million, per the BBC.
Why the loss is so large
Variety puts the film’s break-even point near $350 million, counting the budget, marketing, the share of ticket sales kept by theaters and a likely awards campaign. A Warner Bros. spokesperson told Variety the studio’s break-even figure is $300 million, according to the BBC. The Guardian says Variety estimates production costs of $160 million to $180 million. The BBC reports the film cost Warner Bros. about $280 million to make and market.
About the film
Cruise plays oil magnate Digger Rockwell in the eco-satire, which was directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, according to the BBC and the Guardian. The BBC says reviews were generally poor, and Warner Bros. launched a new marketing push urging audiences to “decide for yourself.” The BBC also notes it was the studio’s last standalone release before its takeover by Paramount.
The Guardian says the estimates could place “Digger” among the biggest box office disasters in movie history. The figures are estimates and could change when final numbers are reported.
Sources: Variety, the Guardian, BBC. Images are editorial cartoons, not photographs.
