Tom Cruise has made his feelings clear on box office sales after his new movie Digger bombed in its opening weekend.
Alejandro G. Iñárritu's satirical black comedy has become one of 2026's biggest box office bombs, making just $8 million in its opening weekend in North America on a production budget north of $160 million.
Reports have suggested that the film, which stars Cruise as Digger Rockwell, would need to make roughly $350m (£261m) globally just to break even.
Cruise prioritises longevity
However, the 64-year-old has revealed that the disastrous figures do not worry him.
Speaking on the Film With Kevin McCarthy podcast on Friday, October 2 - the same day Digger was released - Cruise said he is more focused on a film's staying power.
"Movies transcend. You just hope you can make a film that can last.
"So many things happen when you open a movie. I was fortunate to release movies in the 80s and 90s, when movies would stay in the theatre for a year. With Rain Man and Born On The Fourth Of July, these movies would just play and play for a year.
"How can I make a film that can translate and last and evolve?"
First non-action role in nearly a decade
Cruise said he believes that Digger is exactly that type of movie.
"I never thought of movies, when I'm making them, going 'opening weekend,'" he added.
The newly released film is Cruise's first non-action role in nearly a decade. Cruise, who is almost unrecognisable in heavy prosthetics, plays an oil tycoon who is faced with a global disaster when one of his rigs malfunctions.
The film, directed by Birdman and The Revenant filmmaker Iñárritu, has divided critics, with some calling it "insufferable" whilst others have praised it as "terrific".
Cruise praises cast and crew
On his personal social media, Cruise has called working on the film an "honour" and praised the cast and crew "for your dedication, hard work and joy".
"The experience was truly unforgettable and I'm so proud of what we created."
