Warner Bros. could face loss of at least $150 million on 'Digger' after tepid box office
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Set us as preferred The Tom Cruise-led “Digger” is poised for a massive loss after ticket sales for the political satire fell 60% in its second weekend in theaters in the U.S.and Canada.The Warner Bros.
film made just $3.2 million in those theaters over the weekend, according to a studio estimate.Its opening weekend brought in $8 million, Cruise’s lowest opening as a leading man since 2007’s “Lions for Lambs.” Global ticket sales for “Digger” were only $35.3 million.
Hollywood Inc.Last year, Warner Bros.
movies couldn’t miss at the box office.This year, the studio has had a tougher time, and the upcoming “Digger” may be no exception.The tepid box-office returns mean the studio is now expected to lose at least $150 million on the film, including ancillary revenue streams such as premium video-on-demand and streaming, industry sources said.
Historically, a film has typically needed to make 2½ to three times its budget to recoup its costs.A Warner Bros.spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.It’s a tough result for the film, which stars Cruise as an aging oil tycoon whose company sets off an environmental.
Analysts have said the film was challenging to market, given a major twist in the plot, and that Cruise’s nearly unrecognizable appearance could have dissuaded his fan base from coming out to support the film.The film suffered from polarizing critical reviews, notching a 53% on aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.Opening-night audiences gave it a C+ on CinemaScore, a grade that typically points to weak word of mouth and steep drops in the weeks that follow.The budget for “Digger” raised the stakes.
Warner Bros.has said the film cost $125 million to produce, though some industry experts and trade reports have estimated the cost was at least $160 million, citing production delays.That fig...