LAHORE  –  Tom Cruise’s upcoming film Digger is heading toward its October 2 release with a challenging box office outlook as Warner Bros prepares to launch the star-studded comedy. Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, the R-rated original film stars Cruise as a powerful oil tycoon whose company becomes embroiled in an environmental disaster. Digger is one of Warner Bros’ key releases for the fall and is set to arrive at a crucial time for the studio following a difficult year at the box office.

The movie is currently projected to open with between $12 million and $15 million in North America, according to the report. Earlier estimates had placed its opening between $18 million and $20 million.

The film was initially approved with a reported budget of $125 million, although four sources cited in the report said production costs increased to between $160 million and $180 million. Warner Bros disputed those figures. The studio also disputed estimates that put the movie’s global theatrical break-even point at roughly $350 million, saying it is closer to $300 million.

Digger marks Cruise’s first original film since 2017’s American Made. The actor remains closely associated with major action franchises, including Mission: Impossible, while Top Gun: Maverick became a major box office success in 2022.

However, Cruise’s two most recent Mission: Impossible films saw lower box office returns than earlier entries in the franchise. For Digger, the actor has taken part in an extensive promotional campaign, including appearances on the New Heights podcast and a GQ cover story.

The film could also benefit from Iñárritu’s previous success with films including The Revenant and Birdman. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. is looking ahead to December’s Dune: Part III as another major release.

Christopher Abbott has opened up about the reaction to his casting as Professor X in Marvel’s upcoming X-Men reboot, describing the D23 reveal as both exciting and uncomfortable.

Abbott, known for Girls and East of Eden, was announced as the iconic X-Men character during Disney’s D23 event in August. Speaking to New York Magazine, the actor said the moment felt like “a bit of a dream and a nightmare” because he initially believed some attendees did not recognise him.

Abbott recalled walking onto the stage with enthusiasm before noticing what he described as a muted response from the audience. He said his energy quickly changed and he became more reserved during the reveal.

The actor was introduced alongside Inde Navarrette as Rogue, Maya Boyd as Storm and Adam Driver as Mr. Sinister. Other previously announced cast members include Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Kit Connor as Cyclops and Samara Weaving as Emma Frost.

Marvel’s new X-Men movie is scheduled to arrive in May 2028. The film will reboot the mutant superhero team following 2019’s Dark Phoenix, which starred James McAvoy as Professor X alongside Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence and Nicholas Hoult.

The new Marvel film will mark one of Abbott’s biggest commercial roles to date. Before joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he is set to appear in Netflix’s East of Eden miniseries alongside Florence Pugh and Mike Faist, which premieres Thursday.