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Cruise’s costly box-office setback
Tom Cruise recently starred in Digger, a film expected to finish its theatrical run with less than $50 million worldwide against a reported $180 million budget. The movie was presented as a tribute to Cruise’s career, a framing that made it appear to be a vanity project.
Digger was the last movie released by Warner Bros. before Skydance took over the studio. The article describes it as one of the biggest box-office bombs ever.
Earlier risks paid off
Cruise has previously worked with acclaimed directors, including Paul Thomas Anderson on Magnolia and Stanley Kubrick on Eyes Wide Shut. In the 2010s, he also chose projects with directors who had less experience.
Christopher McQuarrie directed Cruise in Jack Reacher, then went on to helm the final four Mission: Impossible films. Kosinski, whose only feature before working with Cruise was Tron: Legacy, later directed Top Gun: Maverick, the highest-grossing hit of Cruise’s career.
A sci-fi film reaches Starz
After Tron: Legacy received praise for its visual style and soundtrack but was not considered successful enough for a sequel, Cruise hired Kosinski for a 2013 science-fiction film. That movie also drew praise for its visuals and music, while its narrative was criticized as thin.
The film was recently added to Starz. The article does not provide its title, but says the streaming release gives a younger generation the chance to watch it.
Key points
- Digger is projected to earn less than $50 million worldwide against a reported $180 million budget.
- The article says Digger was Warner Bros.’ final release before Skydance took over the studio.
- Kosinski directed the final four Mission: Impossible films under McQuarrie’s direction and later made Top Gun: Maverick.
- A 2013 Kosinski sci-fi movie starring Cruise has recently arrived on Starz, but its title is not stated.