According to a recent report, Warner Bros. has decided to return to port on Deeper just as it was gearing up to begin production. The studio reportedly grew uneasy about the film’s massive $230 million budget.
Although Tom Cruise saw renewed box office success with hits like Mission: Impossible – Fallout in 2018 and Top Gun: Maverick in 2023, his more recent films haven’t matched those numbers.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One earned $571 million in 2023, and the latest installment, The Final Reckoning, has made $564 million so far; both of which fell short of expectations. This downturn may have played a role in Warner Bros.’ decision to pull the plug on Deeper.
Despite the setback, the film still has potential. Cruise and director Doug Liman are reportedly shopping the project to other studios in hopes of finding a new home.
Written by Max Landis in 2016, Deeper tells the story of a disgraced astronaut, played by Cruise, who is sent on a risky deep-sea mission to explore a recently discovered trench. As he ventures into the unknown, he encounters a mysterious and deadly force hidden beneath the ocean's surface.
Christopher McQuarrie, a longtime collaborator of Cruise, recently joined the project to help polish the script. Known for his strong writing and story sense, McQuarrie’s involvement raised expectations and added credibility to the ambitious supernatural thriller.
On the project, Liman previously stated, "We plan to make a 'scary' movie. I have never done one and neither has Tom Cruise."
Liman also categorized the film as a "supernatural thriller," hinting at elements beyond conventional horror. His desire to explore this uncharted genre with Cruise suggests a fresh and intense cinematic experience for audiences, moving beyond their typical action-oriented collaborations.
Ana de Armas is also attached to this highly anticipated project. She recently revealed that she and Tom Cruise have been undergoing rigorous deep-sea diving training, an essential preparation for their roles
This commitment to authentic performance is a hallmark of Cruise's films, and De Armas's dedication underscores the physical demands of the movie's underwater setting.
Deeper has been in development for nearly ten years and has attracted several major stars over time, including Idris Elba, Bradley Cooper, and Gal Gadot. The long-gestating project has seen multiple starts and stops, with various directors and screenwriters circling it at different stages.
As of now, the film’s future remains uncertain following Warner Bros.’ decision to cancel it ahead of production. However, with Tom Cruise and director Doug Liman still committed, there’s a chance another studio could step in to keep the project alive.