Digger, the ambitious eco-fable starring Tom Cruise and directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, is projected to incur a staggering loss of approximately $245 million (£185 million) following a disappointing box office performance. This financial outcome places it among the largest failures in movie history.
Box Office Performance
According to a report by Variety, Digger's estimated revenue for its second weekend in North America was just $3.2 million, reflecting a 60% drop from its opening weekend figure of $8 million. Currently, the film's domestic gross stands at $14.4 million, contributing to a global total of $35.3 million. The film is now expected to finish with a worldwide box office total of around $50 million.
Production and Marketing Costs
While exact figures are not confirmed, Variety estimates that Digger's production costs range between $160 million and $180 million, significantly exceeding its original budget of $125 million. Additionally, around $100 million was allocated for marketing, with another $15 million potentially reserved for awards-season promotions, which may now be reduced due to the film's underperformance.
Given that cinemas retain about half of ticket sales, Digger would need to gross approximately $350 million to break even. A spokesperson for Digger’s producing studio, Warner Bros, indicated that the break-even point is around $300 million, suggesting a production spend of $150 million.
