“Digger” Flops in Opening Weekend as Warner Bros. Prepares for Paramount Merger
NEW YORK – Warner Bros.’ latest release, “Digger,” struggled in its opening weekend, marking one of the worst box office debuts for Tom Cruise. This disappointing performance comes at a pivotal moment as Warner Bros. is poised to merge with Paramount.
In a surprise turn, Amazon MGM’s “Verity” took the top spot at the North American box office, grossing $32.6 million. Directed by Michael Showalter and starring Dakota Johnson and Anne Hathaway, the film continues a successful trend for adaptations of Colleen Hoover’s work.
A Costly Gamble
“Digger,” directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, grossed only $8 million domestically and $12 million internationally from 74 markets, making it a significant financial loss compared to its production budget, estimated between $125-150 million, with an additional $100 million spent on marketing.
Despite being positioned as a potential awards contender, “Digger” received poor reviews, prompting Warner Bros. to run unconventional “decide for yourself” ads. The film holds a low 51% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Strategic Changes Ahead
The weekend’s results arrive just as Warner Bros. gears up for its merger with Paramount, with the deal set to close soon following judicial approval. This year, Warner Bros. has yet to see a single film surpass $100 million domestically, although hopes are pinned on the upcoming “Dune: Part III.”
Box Office Rankings
Here are the top films from the weekend, based on domestic earnings:
- “Verity” – $32.6 million
- “Resident Evil” – $12.5 million
- “Heart of the Beast” – $11 million
- “Primetime” – $8 million
- “Digger” – $8 million
Conclusion
As the dust settles on a disappointing debut, the new management of Paramount and Warner Bros. will need to reassess their film strategies moving forward, especially given the changing landscape of Hollywood and audience preferences.
