“Digger” is DOA.
Tom Cruise’s odd foray into character acting yielded just $8 million this weekend, and another $12 million overseas.
“Digger,” directed by Alejandro Innaritu, puzzled most people went to see it. Reviewers pasted it, and the Cinemascore was C — which was polite.
On a budget of $150 million are more, “Digger” is dug.
“Digger” finished in 5th place behind two horror films, Brad Pitt and a German shepherd in Alaska wilderness, and Robert Pattinson chasing pedophiles.
The story of a buffoonish billionaire who destroys the environment and then tries to save it should move from Warner Bros. theatrical to HBO Max before the end of the year. Razzie Awards are in its future, not Oscars. But maybe also some Golden Globes nominations.
Some people will say this is a blow for original, non franchise films. But this kind of movie has to make sense for it to work. I’ve just seen Pedro Pascal in “Behemoth!” and that one works beautifully. Jesse Eisenberg’s “The Debut” is said to be terrific. So it can happen. “Digger” won’t kill off original ideas, but it will encourage everyone involved to read the script and make sure it’s ready for filming.
