While Blake Lively’s new film “It Ends With Us” is enjoying a strong start at the box office, the same can’t be said for “Borderlands.”
The film adaptation of the popular Gearbox Software sci-fi shooter video game series is set to fall short of the $10 million mark in its debut, earning just $4 million from 3,125 theaters (including Imax and other premium formats) on its opening day.
A $10 million opening weekend may align with the film’s 10% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Audience reception hasn’t fared much better, with “Borderlands” receiving a disappointing D+ CinemaScore based on opening day exit polls.
This lukewarm response isn’t unexpected, given the film’s troubled journey to the big screen and negative pre-release buzz. “Borderlands” completed filming over three years ago and underwent reshoots last year, directed by Tim Miller (“Deadpool”). Some casting choices, such as Cate Blanchett and Jamie Lee Curtis playing characters significantly younger than them in the games, left fans puzzled.
Despite the possibility of overcoming physical mismatches (as seen with Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine), lackluster trailers and poor reviews failed to draw audiences. Additionally, “Borderlands” faced stiff competition from “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which is on track to earn over $50 million in its third weekend. With an irreverent action-comedy already dominating the box office, there wasn’t room for another.
A Risky Bet That Didn’t Pay Off
For Lionsgate, “Borderlands” was always a risky venture. Greenlighting a PG-13 movie based on a notoriously violent video game series and hiring a horror director whose biggest hit grossed $81 million worldwide was a bold gamble—made even riskier by the $110-120 million budget.
However, while this gamble didn’t pay off, it’s important to recognize the value of taking risks in Hollywood. Some risks do succeed, as demonstrated by the first “Deadpool” movie, which was initially seen as a long shot. With a modest $58 million budget (by superhero standards), “Deadpool” proved that R-rated superhero films could be highly profitable, and its second sequel is on track to become the highest-grossing R-rated movie ever. Success stories like these wouldn’t exist without studios willing to take risks.
Even when a movie like “Borderlands” falls short, studio gambles can still benefit fans. For instance, this year’s “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” was a prequel to a film that barely broke even at the box office. With a $168 million budget, it might not have been the most financially prudent decision, but it resulted in a film that delivered intense and purposeful action.
