The sci-fi western film Borderlands, starring Kevin Hart, Cate Blanchett, and Jamie Lee Curtis, is off to a disappointing start at the box office, with a projected opening weekend take of just $10 million. Despite being based on a popular video game series, the movie’s poor reviews and troubled production history may have contributed to its lackluster performance.
The film’s budget is estimated to be between $110 and $120 million, plus an additional $20 to $30 million for promotion, making it a costly misfire. Typically, a cast of this caliber would be expected to draw in a larger audience, but the movie’s struggles may be partly due to the controversy surrounding its star, Jack Black.
Recently, Black’s Tenacious D bandmate Kyle Gass sparked outrage with a comment about Donald Trump, which Black initially laughed off before later canceling the remaining dates of their tour. The backlash may have damaged Black’s reputation and impacted the film’s box office prospects.
In contrast, other movies that appeal to a broader audience are performing well. Deadpool & Wolverine is expected to remain at number one in its third weekend, with a projected haul of $53 million, bringing its domestic total to nearly $500 million and its worldwide total to over $1 billion.
The romantic drama It Ends with Us, starring Blake Lively, is expected to open at number two with a strong $40 million. Other films, such as Twisters and Despicable Me 4, are also performing well, with Twisters earning $15.4 million in its fourth weekend and Despicable Me 4 taking in $10 million in its sixth weekend.
The success of these films suggests that audiences are responding to movies that focus on storytelling and entertainment, rather than those that prioritize identity politics and social commentary.
