Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer has been candid about the disastrous performance of the Borderlands movie, admitting that nearly everything that could go wrong did. Released with a hefty production budget of $120 million, the film only managed to gross $15.4 million domestically and around $33 million worldwide during its brief run in theaters.
Despite some mitigation efforts, including selling off foreign distribution rights, the movie is still expected to cause Lionsgate a loss of up to $30 million. This financial failure has been compounded by poor critical reception, leaving the studio with little hope for a sequel.
Feltheimer highlighted several factors that contributed to the film’s disappointing outcome. One of the main issues was the extended delay caused by the pandemic, which saw the film sitting on the shelf for too long before production resumed.
Additionally, reshoots and rising interest rates further pushed the project outside of Lionsgate’s usual financial models, causing the studio to lose its typical financial safeguards. Feltheimer acknowledged that these logistical issues made the film’s production more complicated than expected, with the final product suffering as a result.
While the financial struggles were significant, Feltheimer also pointed to the creative missteps that plagued the movie. He emphasized that financial models, though important, can’t replace the need for a compelling creative vision. The Borderlands movie failed to capture the essence of its source material, and its chaotic, disorganized narrative did little to engage either fans of the game or general moviegoers. Critics were quick to point out the film’s frenetic pace and lack of coherent storytelling, which contributed to its scathing reviews.
The movie’s critical reception has been nothing short of brutal, with Borderlands currently sitting at a mere 10% on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviews have painted the film as a “frenetic and disorderly shambles” that is likely to be disliked by gamers, a sentiment reflected in the general consensus.
With such poor reviews, the film struggled to draw audiences to theaters, and its financial failure was further confirmed by its weak box office performance. The negative buzz surrounding the film made it clear that it was not the success Lionsgate had hoped for.
In light of these factors, it seems highly unlikely that Lionsgate will greenlight a follow-up to Borderlands anytime soon. Feltheimer’s honest evaluation of the project suggests that the studio has learned from the experience and will take greater care in balancing both the financial and creative aspects of future endeavors. For now, the Borderlands movie stands as a costly misstep for Lionsgate, one that will likely remain a cautionary tale in the studio’s history.
