Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas are set to star in the new thriller Deep, which has recently encountered financial hurdles. Both actors are at the peak of their careers in action cinema, with Cruise spearheading the Mission: Impossible series and de Armas gaining recognition through her roles in No Time to Die and Ballerina.
Indeed, Cruise showed his support for Ballerina when it was released in June, heightening the excitement for his upcoming project with de Armas. Deep is envisioned as an underwater adventure, directed by Doug Liman with Christopher McQuarrie revising the original script by Max Landis.
Although still in the early phases of production, Deep is facing significant challenges according to Puck. Originally set up at Warner Bros., the film’s budget was projected at $275 million. However, studio executives Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy have informed Cruise that this figure is excessively high, setting their maximum at $230 million.
Reports from Puck indicate that Cruise had started preparations for the film, and Warner Bros. had begun funding the previsualization efforts. Despite these developments, Cruise’s team is now seeking a new home for Deep, with Universal among the potential new studios. Furthermore, Cruise is reportedly quite unhappy with Warner Bros.
Implications for Deep
Justifying the Large Budget and Warner Bros.’s Financial Worries
Cruise is renowned for his meticulous approach to filmmaking, his commitment to cinematic experiences, and his willingness to perform daring stunts personally. This has brought him both acclaim and some reservations from those hesitant to work with him.
It is expected that Deep will require extensive stunt work and significant salaries for both Cruise and de Armas. The film’s underwater setting also necessitates substantial CGI and detailed set construction, all of which contribute to the need for a substantial budget.
However, the caution shown by Warner Bros. is understandable. Higher budgets necessitate greater box office returns for profitability, a challenge increasingly difficult for original films to meet. Just this summer, Cruise’s own Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning had difficulty recouping its massive reported $400 million budget.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning has grossed $562.9 million worldwide, yet it needs to double its budget to be deemed profitable.
Given his track record, it’s unlikely that Cruise will easily compromise on the budget for Deep. Therefore, unless Warner Bros. relents, the film might need to find another studio to proceed.
Our Perspective on the Financial Issues Surrounding Deep
It Would Be Disappointing If This Film Does Not Come to Fruition
Given their impressive action credentials and Cruise’s favorable comments about Ballerina, seeing him and de Armas together on screen would be thrilling. They have the potential to be a compelling duo, possibly captivating enough to draw significant audiences to theaters.
However, Warner Bros.’ recent financial caution is not a good sign for Deep. Hopefully, Cruise can find a solution soon to avoid the project stalling indefinitely.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
