Tom Cruise has not given up on his latest movie 'Digger' even though it did not perform well in its first days at the box office. The actor shared photos from the film's production on social media and expressed gratitude to everyone involved in making the movie. He posted a message thanking the cast and crew for their effort and positive energy during filming.
Cruise’s role in 'Digger' has drawn attention as a potential award contender although he has never won a competitive acting Oscar. In the movie Cruise portrays Digger Rockwell as a wealthy oil magnate whose greed leads to a global disaster. After the crisis unfolds the president assigns him the task of fixing the damage he caused.
The plot has sparked debate among viewers and critics with some finding it hard to follow or understand. Despite the actor’s enthusiasm for the project 'Digger' earned $3.4 million on Friday from 3,321 theaters and was projected to open with about $7.5 million. The film’s production budget has been reported at $125 million or more with some estimates placing it between $160 million and $180 million.
This makes the box office performance concerning for a film with such a large budget.
Director Guillermo del Toro responded to criticism by defending the film against what he called a petty headline. He said the movie delivers in scale and ambition and described it as a theatrical experience. Del Toro also praised the film for its cinematic complexity.
The movie was directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and has received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. CinemaScore gave it a C+ rating while Rotten Tomatoes showed a 51% approval from critics and 71% from viewers. Warner Bros. has even used the divided response in an advertising campaign that urges viewers to decide for themselves.
Still the film has found a group of fans who appreciate its unique approach to storytelling.
Cruise has shown strong support for the project despite its disappointing early box office performance. He said he was proud of what the cast and crew created and called the experience unforgettable.
The movie’s reception has been divided with some praising its ambition and others criticizing its execution. Still the film remains a significant effort from both Cruise and director Iñárritu.