Tom Cruise film Digger could lose $245m at box office

Tom Cruise's latest film Digger is projected to lose roughly $245 million (£185 million) at the box office, according to Hollywood analysts, after the movie’s continuing mediocre showing in cinemas. Ticket income for the satirical black comedy, which stars Cruise as oil magnate Digger Rockwell, fell by about 60 percent during its second weekend. That brings Digger’s total box‑office takings to approximately $35 million (£26 million) worldwide to date. The picture is estimated to have cost Warner Bros around $280 million (£211 million) to produce and market. Cruise said past week that helium “never thought of movies erstwhile I'm making them [in presumption of] opening weekend,” adding helium was alternatively focused connected making films that "hopefully volition translate, past and evolve". The film’s earnings relative to its budget suggest it could become one of the biggest flops in Hollywood history. Digger’s performance stands in stark contrast to the success of IP‑driven Cruise vehicles in recent years, such as the latest instalments of the Top Gun and Mission: Impossible franchises. Directed by Alejandro G Iñárritu—best known for Birdman, Babel and The Revenant—the movie was forecast by Variety to finish its theatrical run with about $50 million (£38 million) worldwide. To break even, the film would need roughly $350 million (£264 million), factoring in its budget, distribution costs, the theatre share of box‑office revenue and a potential awards‑season campaign. A Warner Bros spokesperson challenged that estimate, telling Variety the picture’s break‑even point is closer to $300 million (£227 million). Digger marked the studio’s final standalone release before its recent acquisition by Paramount. Read the full story at BBC News →