Digger on course for $245m loss after box office collapse

The eco film Digger, starring Tom Cruise and directed by Alejandro G. Inarritu, is heading for a loss of around $245 million, according to Variety. Its second weekend in North America earned $3.2 million, a 60% drop from its opening. The film has made about $35 million worldwide so far, with a projected final total near $50 million. Reportedly, it cost $160m-$180m to make, plus around $100m on marketing.

Hollywood studios spend big on films hoping to profit at the box office. Cinemas keep about half of ticket sales, so a film must earn roughly two to three times its budget to break even. Digger's reported loss would rank with famous flops such as Cutthroat Island, Mortal Engines and The Marvels. Even major stars and award-winning directors do not guarantee success. Streaming has also made audiences pickier about what they see in cinemas.

Blockbuster flops shape what films get made, so the kinds of stories studios back can change as a result.