John Goodman Says ‘Digger’ Was ‘Killed’ by Critics ‘Before We Even Opened’ and ‘It Hurt’

John Goodman is opening up about the critical and commercial failure of his film Digger, revealing that negative pre-release buzz doomed the movie before it ever reached theaters. Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Goodman said the film was “killed” by critics “before we even opened,” and admitted the reception “hurt.” The movie, which cost north of $160 million to produce, struggled to recoup its budget at the box office, making it one of the year’s most notable financial disappointments. Goodman’s comments highlight the growing influence of early reviews and social media chatter on a film’s box office trajectory, especially for big-budget releases where studio expectations are high. The actor’s candor offers a rare glimpse into how negative critical momentum can shape public perception and ultimately impact a movie’s bottom line, serving as a cautionary tale for Hollywood marketing strategies in an increasingly review-driven marketplace.