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IMAX Corporation has confirmed that Digger will be pulled from showrooms just one week after its release, in a significant change for the premium large-format exhibit. The sci-fi political satire starring Tom Cruise and directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu has struggled to gain traction at the global box office. In just one week, Tom Cruise’s ambitious new movie officially gets the IMAX boot. Movie News highlights the rapid transition taking place in theaters as exhibitors turn to proven talent.
Box office achievements and challenges
The decision to release the film follows its poor opening performance. Produced on a budget estimated at between $140 million and $180 million, it grossed less than $20 million worldwide during its debut, according to reports. The film quickly became profitable, with Warner Bros. spending an additional $100 million on marketing. Current projections suggest the project could finish its theatrical run with around $50 million, well short of its estimated breakeven point of $350 million.
The film, which also featured performances by Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Michael Stuhlbarg and Sandra Hüller, received a mixed response from critics. It currently has a score of 51% on Rotten Tomatoes. Some critics praised the project for its bold vision and for presenting some of Cruise’s most daring work in years, but others found the satire uneven and ill-mannered.
Return of the Odyssey
Replacing the film on IMAX screens is Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. The fantasy epic, which previously ran for 80 days in premium formats, returns to digital IMAX and IMAX 70mm theaters this week. The film was a huge commercial success, grossing over $1.76 billion worldwide to date. It currently holds the record for the highest IMAX gross in that format alone, exceeding $500 million.
The film’s return is timely as it remains a major contender for the upcoming awards season. With a 94% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film continues to attract audiences. The film, which stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway and Robert Pattinson, is expected to gross over $1.8 billion worldwide after its recent theatrical release.
Looking into the future
For Digger, moving away from premium screens means a difficult start to his theatrical life. While the film will continue to play in regular theaters, it now faces the challenge of building momentum through word of mouth to remain relevant in the ongoing awards season conversation. The rapid changes highlight the high stakes of the current theatrical environment, where premium screen space is increasingly being reserved for films with strong commercial momentum and critical acclaim. Fans can continue to monitor the situation as the film attempts to find an audience in the coming weeks.
Source: Collider