The Borderlands movie has undeniably flopped, with Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer candidly stating that “everything that could go wrong did go wrong.” This statement reflects the sheer magnitude of the film’s failure, capturing the disappointment felt by fans and industry insiders alike.

The film adaptation of the beloved Borderlands video game franchise has been labeled a true disaster, grossing only $33 million at the box office while receiving scathing reviews from critics. In a recent earnings call, Lionsgate’s Jon Feltheimer elaborated on the film’s catastrophic performance, shedding light on the various factors that contributed to its downfall.

Feltheimer expressed, “On Borderlands, nearly everything that could go wrong did go wrong: it sat on the shelf for too long during the pandemic, and reshoots and rising interest rates took it outside the safety zone of our usual strict financial models,” he explained. With a staggering budget of approximately $120 million, the film could potentially lead to significant financial losses for the studio. Although Lionsgate managed to alleviate some risks by selling foreign distribution rights, insiders indicated to Deadline that Borderlands might still incur a loss of up to $30 million. “The success of our financial models doesn’t take the place of also getting the creative right,” Feltheimer added, emphasizing the importance of quality in filmmaking.

In addition to Borderlands, Lionsgate has faced challenges with several other films this year, including Whitebird, The Crow, Killer’s Game, and Never Let Go, all of which have also struggled to find success at the box office. This trend raises concerns about the studio’s overall strategy and the changing dynamics of the film industry.

The film Borderlands is based on the wildly popular video game series, featuring an all-star cast led by Cate Blanchett, who portrays Lillith, a notorious outlaw returning to her roots. In her quest to find the missing daughter of the most powerful man in the universe, she assembles a ragtag team of misfits. The impressive ensemble includes Kevin Hart as Roland, Ariana Greenblatt as Tiny Tina, Florian Munteanu as Krieg, Jamie Lee Curtis as Dr. Patricia Tannis, and Jack Black lending his voice to Claptrap, adding a comedic touch to the film.

Initially, there were discussions about shooting the film with an R-rating, but this decision was ultimately reversed during post-production. However, it’s widely believed that a bit more blood and gore would not have salvaged the movie’s overall quality. The film’s poor performance led Lionsgate to swiftly release it on PVOD less than a month after its theatrical debut, a decision that reflects the studio’s eagerness to recoup losses.

Critic Chris Bumbray described the film as a “disaster” that aspires to emulate the success of Guardians of the Galaxy but falls short due to a lack of charm and vision. Bumbray remarked that it is “one of the worst big-budget movies I’ve seen in a while” and expressed skepticism about its lasting impact, suggesting it would likely be forgotten within weeks. For more insights, you can read the rest of his review right here.