Director Eli Roth has spoken out about the critical and commercial failure of the 2024 Borderlands film, attributing its shortcomings to studio executives prioritizing broad appeal over artistic integrity. The $120 million production, based on the popular video game franchise, struggled to find its identity, ultimately becoming "something that belonged to nobody," Roth told Variety.
Roth, who aimed to create "left of center" content that had previously worked for him, found that as projects grow, studios tend to become more risk-averse. Executives reportedly pushed for a PG-13 rating, leading to changes that diluted the film's connection to its source material. "It’s not a kids’ movie, but it’s trying to appeal to everybody," Roth explained. "It’s for gamers, but it doesn’t have the violence the gamers want because it can’t be that extreme because it costs too much."
This creative tension reportedly led to a final product that satisfied neither its target audience nor the filmmakers. Adding to the production's challenges, the film also underwent reshoots with director Tim Miller, known for Deadpool.
The Borderlands movie featured a star-studded cast, including Cate Blanchett as Lilith and Jack Black as the voice of Claptrap, alongside Kevin Hart, Edgar Ramirez, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu, Janina Gavankar, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Olivier Richters. Despite the high-profile talent, the film failed to resonate with critics and audiences alike.
Roth has since focused on projects with fewer external creative constraints. His latest film, "Ice Cream Man," which he produced through his own company, The Horror Section, represents his desire to maintain ownership and control over his creations. He noted the financial realities of filmmaking, stating that "Ice Cream Man" only needs a modest box office return to be profitable due to its lower budget and expected home release performance.
Reflecting on creative ownership, Roth drew a parallel to novelists like Stephen King, who retain rights to their work. "Why should I create something and then give away ownership?" he questioned, emphasizing a desire for filmmakers to have similar control over their screenplays and the underlying rights.