NEW YORK – The entertainment world is buzzing after Warner Bros. released its new film “Digger,” which unfortunately flopped during its opening weekend. This disappointing performance marked a rough chapter for the studio, especially as it prepares for a merger with Paramount.
While “Digger” struggled, another film stole the spotlight. Amazon MGM’s “Verity,” based on a popular novel by Colleen Hoover, took the number one spot at the box office, earning an impressive $32.6 million. Directed by Michael Showalter, the film features Dakota Johnson as a ghostwriter collaborating with Anne Hathaway’s character, an incapacitated author.
The buzz around “Digger” had been high, with many viewing it as one of the year’s big risks. Unfortunately, director Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s satire failed to resonate, pulling in only $8 million in North America. Even international sales, totaling $12 million from 74 markets, fell short of expectations.
The film’s poor reception was foreshadowed by negative reviews, leading Warner Bros. to run ads urging audiences to “decide for yourself.” The film’s budget was substantial, estimated at around $125 million, with marketing costs potentially adding another $100 million.
Warner Bros. had high hopes for “Digger,” envisioning it as an awards contender similar to last year’s hit “One Battle After Another,” which grossed over $213 million worldwide and clinched the Academy Award for Best Picture. However, “Digger” seems unlikely to follow in those footsteps.
Adding to the chaos, this disappointing debut comes at a pivotal moment for Warner Bros. as it merges with Paramount Skydance. Following a recent court approval of the $110 billion deal, analysts expect significant changes in management and strategy.
Despite a generally strong year for Hollywood, Warner Bros. has yet to release a film that grossed over $100 million domestically. As executives Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy prepare to leave the studio, layoffs are anticipated, and the new leadership will reassess the types of films they want to produce.
Critics have rated “Digger” at just 51% on Rotten Tomatoes, describing it as a strained attempt at tackling climate change. However, Tom Cruise’s performance received some praise, even as audiences gave it a lukewarm “C+” CinemaScore.
Cruise, known for his roles in action-packed franchises like “Mission: Impossible” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” had hoped to leverage his star power to boost “Digger.” In an effort to promote the film, he participated in his first long magazine interview in years.
In other box office news, the Marvel re-release “Avengers: Endgame: Encore” slipped to seventh place, generating $4.4 million domestically. However, it has reclaimed its title as the highest-grossing film of all time, just ahead of “Avatar,” with a total of $2.9255 billion.
The top films of the weekend included:
- 1. “Verity,” $32.6 million.
- 2. “Resident Evil,” $12.5 million.
- 3. “Heart of the Beast,” $11 million.
- 4. “Primetime,” $8 million.
- 5. “Digger,” $8 million.
- 6. “Forgotten Island,” $7.2 million.
- 7. “Avengers: Endgame: Encore,” $4.4 million.
- 8. “Drishyam: The Conclusion,” $2.7 million.
- 9. “Practical Magic 2,” $2.7 million.
- 10. “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” $2.5 million.
