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Tom Cruise's 'Digger' Faces Mixed Reception at Premiere

9:04 PM ETConfirmed

Entertainment Desk

In Short: Cruise told a full house at the Academy Museum’s 945-seat David Geffen Theater, “I was very successful since I was a kid,” indicating his confidence in the film’s reception.

Cruise, 64, and Iñárritu, 63, seemed delighted by the company they were keeping, with the director noting, “We were laughing all day.”

Cruise told a full house at the Academy Museum’s 945-seat David Geffen Theater, “I was very successful since I was a kid,” indicating his confidence in the film’s reception.

The film, a satirical disaster movie that blends humor with serious commentary on environmental issues, follows Cruise’s character, Digger Rockwell, an eccentric oil tycoon who faces a catastrophic disaster after an explosion at a Greenland rig.

Cruise’s performance as Digger Rockwell is a significant part of the film's storytelling, with his physical appearance and mannerisms adding depth to the satire.

Riz Ahmed co-stars as Ganesh, an environmental expert who brings troubling news about the Greenland explosion to Digger.

According to Boxoffice Pro’s Daniel Loria, 'Digger' could open at a “modest” No. 5 at the box office this weekend, earning a projected $8 million to $12 million.

The film’s title, based on Cruise’s character, doesn’t clearly convey the movie’s content, leading to confusion among potential viewers.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• Goodman, 74, and Anna Beth Goodman, 57, were all smiles at the Los Angeles premiere of Goodman’s new film alongside Tom Cruise, Digger.
• The Goodmans smiled for the camera during a rare red carpet appearance together.
• The actor was all smiles as he posed for photographers at the premiere.

What's still developing

• As the first reactions to “Digger” suggest, Tom Cruise ’s latest film — a big budget original satire co-written and directed by four-time Oscar winner Alejandro González Iñárritu — is bound to split audiences.
• “We were laughing all day,” the four-time Oscar-winning Mexican filmmaker said.
• “My hope is always that the films would do enough that I’d have that opportunity to do it again,” Cruise said.
• At 64 and 63, respectively, Cruise and Iñárritu are near-exact contemporaries taking this leap together.
• Digger requires a different leap of faith, both from Cruise and from the audience he hopes will follow him.
• Deadline highlights that 'Digger' is a raw and modest movie that pokes fun at its own absurdity, with Cruise's performance being a standout.
• Consequence of Sound notes that 'Digger' is a head-spinning performance by Cruise, with an urgent message about the world we are 'f*cking up.
• John Goodman and his wife, Anna Beth Goodman, had a rare date night out at the Los Angeles premiere of "Digger." The "Roseanne" actor wore a simple black suit, with a stripped-collared shirt and a grey tie.
• Pictures' "Digger." (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic) The "Digger" premiere date night outing was another opportunity for John to show off his impressive weight loss.
• John began his weight-loss journey in 2007, when he weighed nearly 400 pounds.
• Goodman turned to boxing and daily walks as his form of movement.
• Audiences can enjoy the film as a “big swing,” but still take issue with his performance.

Sources

• Cosmic Book Newslink
• HuffPost UKlink
• IndieWirelink
• Page Sixlink
• Screen Realmlink
• The Hollywood Reporterlink
• Warpbeatlink
• The Indian Expresslink
• IndieWirelink
• The Hollywood Reporterlink
• Fox Newslink
• Nine.com.aulink
• The Hollywood Reporterlink
• okmagazine.comlink
• WarpBeat — background on Tom Cruise's 'Digger' Faces Mixed Reception at Premiere link
• The Hollywood Fix — video link