The Borderlands movie, which hit the big screen with high hopes and great anticipation from fans, turned out to be a complete fiasco. With an audience rating of just 4.6/10, the film was harshly criticized by critics as well. But what led to this downfall, and how did it unfold?

The Borderlands fiasco: Pandemic and financial strain

One of the biggest criticisms of the Borderlands movie was the extended delay due to the pandemic, which left the project shelved for a long time, followed by costly reshoots. Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer, in his statement about the project, said that “everything that could go wrong did go wrong,” citing the disruptions during the pandemic and rising interest rates that drove costs well beyond initial estimates.

According to Feltheimer, financial difficulties combined with creative shortcomings put the project in a tough spot. Furthermore, the creative failure of the film stands out as a significant factor. Borderlands currently holds a dismal 10% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many review sites awarding the film low scores.

The attempt to create an atmosphere fitting the chaotic nature of the Borderlands universe failed to deliver the experience that audiences had anticipated. According to Deadline, the film grossed only $33 million. Considering its production budget was $120 million, the severity of this financial failure becomes even clearer.

The poor reviews and financial failure of the Borderlands movie may lead Lionsgate to adopt a more cautious strategy in future projects. Studio executives are likely to emphasize strict financial models to support creative processes.

Do you think these developments will change Lionsgate’s approach to big-budget projects? What are your thoughts on the film? Did you have a chance to watch it? Share your opinions in the comments!