Tom Cruise’s upcoming underwater thriller, Deep, starring alongside Ana de Armas, is encountering significant budget challenges as production begins. The project, directed by Doug Liman and involving rewrites by Christopher McQuarrie on Max Landis’ original script, was initially slated with a budget of $275 million at Warner Bros., but studio executives have deemed this cost excessive, forcing reconsideration of its financing and studio backing.
Budget Standoff Puts Deep’s Future in Question
Deep, described as an adventurous undersea film, is still early in production, yet the reported financial disagreement has already caused ripples. Warner Bros. executives Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy have capped the budget at $230 million, far below the $275 million Tom Cruise’s team believes is necessary to realize the vision. This conflict arises despite some preparatory work already underway, with Warner Bros. funding previsualization tasks.
Due to this impasse, Cruise’s side is actively exploring alternative studios like Universal to possibly take over the project. Reports indicate that Cruise is displeased with Warner Bros.’ refusal to approve the higher budget, which could lead to Deep moving to a different production home if no compromise can be reached.
Why Deep’s High Budget is Justifiable and Warner Bros.’ Concerns
Tom Cruise is notorious for his dedication to practical effects and demanding action sequences, which often results in higher production costs. Deep is expected to involve extensive stunt work, significant salaries for both Cruise and de Armas—who have recently solidified their status as top action stars—and complex underwater sets enhanced by CGI. These factors naturally drive the budget up.
On the other hand, Warner Bros.’ hesitation stems from the increasing financial risks associated with blockbuster films. High budgets require equally high box office returns to turn a profit, a benchmark that is becoming more elusive for original titles. Even with a global gross exceeding $562 million, Cruise’s Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, with an estimated $400 million budget, struggles to be considered profitable due to the immense costs involved.
Given Cruise’s filmmaking approach and previous successes, it appears unlikely he will trim the budget sufficiently to satisfy Warner Bros., suggesting Deep’s future hinges on either the studio’s willingness to compromise or a move to a new production partner.
Potential Impact of Budget Disputes on Deep’s Production
The prospect of Deep being shelved or delayed is disheartening for fans and industry observers alike, especially considering the pairing of Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas, whose prior performances have drawn significant acclaim. Their combined star power and ability to execute high-octane action could give Deep strong audience appeal, potentially revitalizing wariness around original adventure films.
However, Warner Bros.’ cautious financial stance amid market uncertainties casts a shadow on the project’s immediate prospects. Without a resolution, Deep risks stalling indefinitely, caught in the common dilemma between creative ambition and studio budget constraints.
“Deep is described as an undersea adventure and will be directed by Doug Liman, with Christopher McQuarrie providing rewrites to Max Landis’ script.” —Source
“Cruise had already begun prepping for the film, and that Warners has already begun paying for the previsualization work.” —Source
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. When was Tom Cruise diagnosed?
A. When Tom Cruise was seven, he found out he had dyslexia, a condition that makes reading hard. Because of this, school and early acting jobs were tough for him. Despite the challenges, Cruise stayed focused on achieving his goals.
Q. What is Tom Cruise’s religion?
A. Besides his work in movies, Cruise is known for actively supporting the Church of Scientology, a role that often draws controversy and attention. An avid fan of flying, he has had a pilot’s license since 1994.
Q. What syndrome does Tom Cruise have?
A. Tom Cruise realized that by working hard and staying determined, he could manage the difficulties of dyslexia. Although reading was tough for him, he followed his love for acting. Acting actually helped him deal with his dyslexia.
Q. Does Tom Cruise have any disabilities?
A. Tom Cruise has difficulty reading and was identified with dyslexia when he was seven. During high school and early acting days, he struggled a lot with reading. It was particularly hard for him to read scripts because of his condition.
