{
  "id": 11967977,
  "title": "On cusp of merger, ‘Digger bombs for Warner Bros., ‘Verity’ takes No. 1 at box office",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/on-cusp-of-merger-digger-bombs-for-warner-bros-verity-takes-no-1-at",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-04T16:41:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CityNews",
    "slug": "citynews",
    "url": "https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/10/04/on-cusp-of-merger-digger-bombs-for-warner-bros-verity-takes-no-1-at-box-office/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The highly anticipated merger between Warner Bros. and Paramount is nearing completion, but Warner Bros.' latest attempt at a blockbuster, \"Digger,\" has flopped. The film, directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, opened at No. 2 in North American theaters, trailing behind Amazon MGM's \"Verity,\" which debuted at the top with $32.6 million. \"Digger\" stars Tom Cruise and Dakota Johnson, and was critically panned, with a dismal $8 million domestic gross. Cruise's overseas sales were also weak, at $12 million from 74 markets. The film's production budget is estimated at $150 million, with marketing spending another $100 million. This disappointing debut comes as the two studios finalize their merger, set to be completed on Tuesday. Warner Bros. co-chairs Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy are expected to depart, and massive layoffs are anticipated following the merger.",
  "summary": "NEW YORK (AP) — On the cusp of the studio’s merger with Paramount, Warner Bros.’ “Digger” flopped in its opening weekend, handing Tom Cruise one of the worst debuts of his career and serving as a bitter final note for Warner Bros. as a standalone studio.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "On cusp of merger, ‘Digger bombs for Warner Bros., ‘Verity’ takes No. 1 at box office",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/on-cusp-of-merger-digger-bombs-for-warner-bros-verity-takes-no-1-at-11969321",
        "published": "2026-10-04T16:41:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Seeking Alpha News",
        "title": "‘Verity’ leads tepid box office weekend with $33M debut",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/verity-leads-tepid-box-office-weekend-with-33m-debut",
        "published": "2026-10-04T19:27:42.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}