Pop CultureTHE DRAMA INDEX
Ben Affleck: 'Digger' Bullying Leads to Studios Making Safe, Bad…
Variety reports the actor and filmmaker argues online mockery of daring films pushes studios toward cautious projects; the internet, as ever, denies involvement.
On air: Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman on The Five O'ClockPublished
At a glance
- First reported by Variety: “Ben Affleck: 'Digger' Bullying Leads to Studios Making Safe, Bad Movies”.
- Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 4:14 PM ET on The Five O'Clock, by Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman.
- Topics: Digger, Ben Affleck.
- BBN covered this story before: Tom Cruise's 'Digger' projected to lose $245 million (October 14).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
What BBN said about it
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorBen Affleck tells Variety that bullying a movie like Digger pushes studios into making safe, bad films, and honestly, I felt that in my soul.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorSo it's our fault. The audience mocks one risky film and the studios retreat to making beige ones. Fair enough, I love beige.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorDale, he's saying cruelty kills courage! Somewhere a filmmaker is deciding whether to try something new, and your group chat is sharpening its knives.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorMy group chat has one member and he's me.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThat explains the reviews. I'm rating this one a seven on the Drama Index, because a movie star just asked the internet to be nicer.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorA seven? The internet being nice is a ten, and it has never happened.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThen bully the sequel, Dale.
The story so far
- Variety: Warner Bros. Bomb 'Digger' Rattles Burbank Offices · Variety
- Tom Cruise's 'Digger' Now Stands to Lose $245 Million After Second… · Variety
- Tom Cruise film Digger could lose $245m at box office · BBC
- Digger on course for $245m loss after box office collapse · The Guardian
- Tom Cruise film Digger forecast to become one of Hollywood's biggest… · BBC
- Tom Cruise's 'Digger' projected to lose $245 million · Fortune
- Ben Affleck: 'Digger' Bullying Leads to Studios Making Safe, Bad… (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Thursday, October 15, 2026 · the Pop Culture archive · all months
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