Eli Roth’s long-awaited Borderlands movie has finally hit theaters, but unfortunately, it isn’t off to a great start. The project started production in 2021, and according to stunt coordinator Jimmy O’Dee, they were told that Borderlands would shoot with the assumption that it would be R-rated.
“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, for a slightly mature audience,” O’Dee told ScreenRant. “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. We shot that nearly three years ago, or we just finished it. So, I guess a lot happens in post, and they see where it’s going to go and what market they’re aiming for. But literally the idea and the brief was carnage, head cutting off, feet cutting off. Go for it and then we’ll sort it out in post. It was that kind of thing.“
Given Roth’s history in the horror genre, it’s no surprise that he would want to bring a little of that to Borderlands. “He loves horror,” O’Dee said. “It was funny, he was on the second unit, he came over, and he was like, “Uh… just cut the ankles off. Yeah, get the knife and cut the ankles and we will leave these stubs.” It was kind of like there wasn’t enough gore for him sometimes. Eli was all over that kind of stuff. He was great to work with. It was such a fun time with him.” The film ultimately received a PG-13 rating for intense sequences of violence and action, language and some suggestive material.
What an absolutely baffling choice to make at the last minute. To think this movie, based on an ultra-violent game that children aren’t supposed to play, needs to cut out all the ultra-violence to garner an audience of children that…shouldn’t be playing the games. Stupid fucking studio execs.
And I hate the trend of director’s cuts lately, but a Roth movie getting neutered down to pg-13 absolutely deserves one.
From what I’ve heard in reviews, it sounds like the decision to make Tiny Tina a main character drove a lot of the market shift. It sounds like they made her more vulnerable and innocent to contrast with the tired, jaded Lilith instead of the demented bomber that fits into the tone of the game
Tina actually is the most emotionally vulnerable major character in Borderlands 2, as Assault on Dragon Keep shows. However, she’s also a deeply disturbed demolitionist who tortures someone to death on-screen.
Trying to turn her into an innocent little girl feels utterly bizarre.
So they completely ignored why she’s the fan favorite character and just have a different personality to her
Unfortunately, money talks. Studios are afraid to spend big money on a film with a “limited” R rated audience. Lower the rating, more bums on seats.
In a world with Deadpool, you’d think they’d learn their lesson. And for one of the most popular gaming franchises around, no less.
It’s like that bit in The Simpsons Movie where Lisa tells Homer he has to speed up through the loop to actually make it - if they’d had the nerve, they could’ve had a major hit. But nope, they’re too scared to commit and now it’s gonna crash and burn.
Deadpool is looking to hit $1 billion in 3 weeks. They’re worried about not making money with an R rated movie. They’re out of their minds, back when I was a kid my dad took me and four friends to see Starship Troopers. There are ways to see R rated movies even if you are not old enough. If it isn’t rated NC-17 then kids will get in to see it.
Exactly! I often hear that NC-17 is the kiss of death for some films. Apparently, the bigger cinema chains won’t even show NC-17 films. (This is all 2nd hand knowledge as I’m obviously not from the US.)
Thank god for R rated films! 😆
Just to add in that Borderlands made 8.8 million it’s first weekend. How is some exec board going to blame this on someone below them. I bet that billion dollar box office from D & W is really making them salivate and cry at the same time.
Agree with that’s what they think and sometimes it’s the case, but man they do not get nuance. This isn’t some romcom that shows a bit too much boob, it’s a movie based on a video game that literally advertised bazillions of guns. Anyone who knows the franchise wants it to be as nutty and gruesome as possible. Nerfing the movie I think took bums out of seats
That and the casting. Kevin Heart as Roland and Jack Black as Claptrap was enough for me to turn off the trailer. I knew it was going to be bad from the get go.