Tom Cruise’s Forthcoming Movie Digger Faces Budget Concerns
Tom Cruise’s upcoming movie, Digger, directed by the acclaimed Alejandro G. Iñárritu, is generating significant buzz due to its monumental budget. The film, which tells the story of “the most powerful man in the world” who causes a disaster and then attempts to frame himself as humanity’s savior, boasts an impressive cast, including Riz Ahmed, Emma D’Arcy, Jesse Plemons, John Goodman, and Sandra Hüller. With a release date set for October 2, 2026, Digger is expected to be a major player in the awards season of 2027.
According to a report by Matthew Belloni of Puck, the movie’s budget is a staggering nine-figure sum, with Warner Bros. estimating the cost to be around $125 million. However, Belloni expresses skepticism about this figure, drawing comparisons to the 2025 film One Battle After Another, which was directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and starred Leonardo DiCaprio. Despite being one of the best movies of the year, One Battle After Another failed to turn a profit due to its massive budget, reportedly ranging from $130-175 million, and is estimated to have lost Warner Bros. around $100 million.
Budget Concerns and Awards Season Ambitions
The concern surrounding Digger’s budget is not unfounded, as the film’s success will depend on its ability to attract a large audience and generate significant ticket sales. As a likely R-rated original feature, Digger will face an uphill battle in today’s box office climate. Nevertheless, with its talented cast and crew, including the two-time Best Director Oscar winner Iñárritu, Digger has the potential to be a critical and commercial success. The film’s writers, including Iñárritu, Alexander Dinelaris, Nicolás Giacobone, and Sabina Berman, have previously collaborated on the acclaimed film Birdman, which adds to the anticipation surrounding Digger.
Warner Bros. is reportedly hoping that Digger will be a major contender in the 2027 awards season, competing with other prominent films like The Social Reckoning and The Odyssey. The studio’s strategy of investing heavily in films to secure awards recognition has been successful in the past, but it remains to be seen whether this approach will pay off for Digger. With its release scheduled for later in 2026, the film will have to navigate a crowded box office landscape and appeal to a broad audience to achieve its goals.
Key Details About Digger
Release Date October 2, 2026
Director Alejandro González Iñárritu
Writers Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Sabina Berman, Alexander Dinelaris
