The Challenges Behind the Borderlands Movie: Eli Roth’s Perspective
The Borderlands movie, released last year, faced widespread criticism and a lukewarm reception. While opinions on its failure vary, director Eli Roth attributes part of the problem to the timing of its production.
Behind the Scenes: Filming During a Pandemic
In case you’re unaware, Borderlands commenced filming in 2021, during the tumultuous early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent episode of The Town podcast, Roth reflected on how the industry, including his own production, “didn’t foresee how complicated things were going to be with COVID.”
The chaos of that period stemmed from strict distancing protocols that restricted traditional collaboration. “We couldn’t prep in a room together. I couldn’t be with my stunt team or conduct pre-visualization; everyone was scattered,” Roth explained.
The Challenges of Large-Scale Productions
“You have six people all on different sets, and every one of those sets is vulnerable to shutdowns because of local regulations,” Roth added. The challenges of creating a big-budget film during such an unpredictable time were not only daunting but also humbling. “I think we all believed we could manage it, but we definitely faced some harsh realities,” he admitted.
Reshoots and Additional Challenges
Adding to Roth’s difficulties was his commitment to filming another project, the slasher movie Thanksgiving, in 2023. This led to Deadpool director Tim Miller stepping in to oversee the reshoots for Borderlands. These reshoots incorporated new scripts from writer Zak Olkewicz, continuing the revisions made to Craig Mazin’s initial 2020 screenplay.
The Director’s Surreal Experience
When Roth finally sat down to watch the finished product, he found it surreal to see his name attached to a film for which he felt only partially responsible. “I honestly didn’t know what was going to happen next,” he remarked. Despite the tumultuous production, this experience did not sour his relationship with Lionsgate; instead, it encouraged him to stop accepting blame for a project he was tangentially involved with and prompted a return to his horror roots.
FAQs About the Borderlands Movie
What were the key issues faced during the production of the Borderlands movie?
The primary challenges included adapting to COVID-19 restrictions, managing a large team working across different locations, and facing the pressures of a big-budget production under unpredictable circumstances.
How did COVID-19 impact Hollywood film productions?
COVID-19 led to strict health protocols that complicated filming processes, limited in-person collaboration, and resulted in delays and shutdowns across the industry.
Did Eli Roth face any obstacles while making Borderlands?
Yes, Roth dealt with significant challenges, including the chaos of filming during a pandemic, difficulty with pre-production meetings, and eventually handing off reshoots to Tim Miller while he focused on another project.
What lessons did Eli Roth learn from the Borderlands experience?
Roth learned to evaluate his involvement in projects more critically and recognized the importance of not taking overly personal responsibility for collaborative works.
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[via Dark Horizons]