Take-Two Asks Borderlands Fans to “Give the Film a Chance” Following Blistering Reviews

Take-Two Asks Borderlands Fans to "Give the Film a Chance" Following Blistering Reviews

As a dedicated fan of the Borderlands franchise who has spent countless hours looting, shooting, and laughing my way through its colorful universe, I can’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and apprehension as the movie adaptation approaches. The early critical reception has been less than stellar, with Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic scores that make me question if the movie’s release date is actually April Fool’s Day.


With the cinema release of the Borderlands video game adaptation fast approaching, the response from critics has been unexpectedly negative. Currently, it’s scoring just 10% on Rotten Tomatoes and 29 on Metacritic. This is surprising given the success of recent video game adaptations like The Last of Us and Super Mario Brothers Movie. However, Borderlands seems to be bucking the trend and instead of being a triumph in this booming genre, it appears to be a departure from the promising wave of adaptations. Despite the poor initial reception, Take-Two Interactive’s CEO Strauss Zelnick encourages viewers not to make up their minds yet and give the movie a chance.

The upcoming “Borderlands” film, helmed by director Eli Roth and boasting a big-name ensemble including Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, and Jamie Lee Curtis, has generated significant excitement among both longtime fans of the series and casual cinema enthusiasts. Yet, early feedback from critics hints that the movie might not meet its lofty expectations.

The Borderlands series is renowned for its witty dark humor, frenetic gameplay, and vibrant characters – both in terms of their personalities and appearances. For quite some time now, it has been a significant element within the contemporary gaming scene. Despite the movie adaptation not seeming to inherit this success, Take-Two Interactive’s CEO remains hopeful, highlighting the effort poured into its creation. In an interview with IGN, Zelnick stated,

“Why not check out this movie? Many dedicated individuals put in a tremendous amount of effort in its creation. It’s based on an exceptional concept, features a fantastic cast, and it looks and feels great. Let’s hear the audience’s response!”

Who Stands To Lose if Borderlands is a Flop?

Take-Two Asks Borderlands Fans to "Give the Film a Chance" Following Blistering ReviewsTake-Two Asks Borderlands Fans to "Give the Film a Chance" Following Blistering ReviewsTake-Two Asks Borderlands Fans to "Give the Film a Chance" Following Blistering ReviewsTake-Two Asks Borderlands Fans to "Give the Film a Chance" Following Blistering Reviews

Although the future of this franchise seems grim, Zelnick has emphasized that the performance will influence what lies ahead for the franchise.

“Regardless of how well the movie performs financially, it won’t affect us or the franchise either positively or negatively.”

Zelnick also discussed the wider subject of video game adaptations in Hollywood. He explained to IGN that Take-Two is choosing to be “very picky” regarding the conversion of their games into movies, preferring to work on projects where the entire team is fully committed and passionate about the creative direction.

As a supporter, I’ve noticed a similar sentiment emerging regarding the upcoming Bioshock film on Netflix. This project has been in development limbo for quite some time and has recently faced budget cuts. Despite these challenges, it seems determined to move forward with production. However, the gaming community is expressing concerns about which game adaptations will thrive in live-action and which might be better off remaining as video games. It’s not that every game can be like The Last of Us, but perhaps they could create something entertaining and lively, similar to the Sonic movie experience.

It’s important to mention that the “Borderlands” series, originally developed and owned by Gearbox, has now been acquired by Take-Two. However, concerning the upcoming film, it was made in partnership with both Gearbox and 2K. As Zelnick explained, Take-Two doesn’t have significant financial investments tied to this project.

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2024-08-11 18:33