Tom Cruise's 'Digger' Bombs at Box Office, Poised for Major Financial Loss

Tom Cruise's latest film, "Digger," has significantly underperformed at the global box office during its opening weekend, potentially becoming one of the biggest financial disappointments of his career. The critically divisive satire grossed $8 million in U.S. cinemas and an additional $12 million from 74 international markets.

The film's production budget is estimated to be between $125 million and $160 million, with an additional $100 million spent on marketing. Industry experts suggest that "Digger" needs to earn approximately $350 million theatrically to break even, and it is currently on track to lose an estimated $150 million.

This box office performance marks a stark contrast to some of Cruise's previous ventures. While his 2007 film "Lions for Lambs" was also a box office disappointment with a $35 million budget, and "The Mummy" franchise reboot in 2017 resulted in a $95 million loss, "Digger's" potential deficit is considerably larger.

Despite a significant publicity campaign, including Cruise's rare magazine interview and television appearances, and a premiere attended by members of the British royal family, the film received mixed reviews. Directed by four-time Oscar winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu, known for "Birdman" and "The Revenant," "Digger" features Cruise as an eccentric oil tycoon who inadvertently triggers an ecological disaster.

Critics were divided, with some praising the film's ambition and Cruise's performance. Brian Viner of the Daily Mail awarded the film four stars, calling it "bold and often brilliant film-making." Nicholas Barber of the BBC also gave it four stars, noting Cruise's "gargantuan scale of his performance" and Iñárritu's "antic style."

However, other reviewers were less impressed. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave the film two stars, describing it as "glib and overblown." Kevin Maher of The Times awarded it one star, calling Cruise its "fatal flaw." Variety's Owen Gleiberman suggested the film was "too full of itself" and that its high cost was a "testament to the arrogance of the filmmakers."

"Digger's" opening weekend performance also lagged behind films like "Resident Evil," which had already been in theaters for two weeks. In contrast, "Verity," a thriller starring Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson, debuted with $32.6 million and secured the number one spot at the box office.

The film's narrative centers on Digger Rockwell, an oil tycoon played by Cruise, who attempts to rectify an ecological crisis he caused, with John Goodman portraying the U.S. President.