Even Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart Couldn’t Save Borderlands from the Same Problem That Sank Zack Snyder’s BVS

The much anticipated 2024 adaptation of the popular video game Borderlands was on its way to becoming a popular hit. The movie had a star-studded cast featuring Cate Blanchett and Kevin Hart, to name a few. Many fans of the series believed that with the gritty source material, the movie would be R-rated.

However, in the ever-evolving Hollywood, maintaining a balance between the original creative vision and studio interference is very crucial and delicate. Unfortunately, it seems like the balance fell through and the anticipated movie fell into a trap very similar to the fate of Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (BVS).

The Shift From R to PG-13 Ruined Borderlands

When it was first announced that Borderlands was getting a movie adaptation, fans of the series were super excited and thrilled. The series is known for its colorful action sequences, dark humor, and engaging storytelling. Fans felt the game was a perfect candidate for a high-octane, adult-oriented film adaptation filled with carnage and violence.

The movie gained even more momentum when it was announced that Cate Blanchett would play Lilith and Kevin Hart would be taking on the mantle of Roland. However, due to the interference from the studio, the film shifted away from its original R rating to a PG-13 rating, removing various scenes from the final cut. This was supposed to be a move to attract a border audience instead it diluted the film’s edge, ruining the adaptation.

Fans are not happy with the adaptation and feel betrayed as the film lacks the raw energy and coherent attitude of the original source material. Fans were calling out the studio and their allegation was proven correct when in an interview Film’s Stunt coordinator Jimmy O’Dee confirmed that the movie was filmed as R-rated but changed during post-production.

We were shooting an R-rated movie when we did it. We always knew that we were going to go either 15 or R rating, it’s 15 in UK. So, we were blowing people’s heads off. And we were cutting feet off. We were doing all of that. But then, you know, a lot happens.

The movie was shot a long time ago (3 years) but during the post-production, the studio felt that to appeal to a broader audience. Due to this, the film struggled to maintain a cohesive tone, attracting no one to the theaters.

Lessons Studios Should Learn From BVS and Borderlands

The similar patterns between the struggles of Borderlands and BVS are scary, to say the least. Both films show how studio interference can be a dangerous thing as they both suffered from a disconnect between the original vision and the final product.

When studios prioritize broad audience appeal over creative integrity and vision from the director, the result will always be a disjointed film that fails to resonate with its targeted audience, failing to capture and satisfy the broader demographic either.

As the fans are slowly forgetting about Borderlands and its super underwhelming portrayal of a colorful world, it will serve as a reminder to everyone that the best way to honor a beloved material is to stay true to its essence. While it’s undeniable that Cate Blanchett and Kevin Hart brought their talents to the project, the studio’s interference played a significant role in the film’s failure to make a long-lasting impact.

In the end, while Hollywood continues to try its hands-on adapting a beloved series to the big screen, many fans hope that it will be able to find the perfect balance between the vision of the creators and the expectations of the audience.

What is your favorite video game film adaptation? Tell us in the comment section below.