Take-Two's Zelnick admits Borderlands movie failed as Lionsgate funded production risk
Published 6 Nov 2026 · Games Atlas Editorial · Transmedia & Adaptation · Companies: Take-Two Interactive, Netflix
Games Atlas summary: Take-Two's 2024 Borderlands movie grossed about $33 million worldwide against a star-studded cast. CEO Strauss Zelnick says the film failed to meet Take-Two's entertainment mission. Lionsgate funded the production, so Take-Two absorbed no direct financial loss. "We failed" - Strauss Zelnick, CEO, Take-Two
How to cite this page
Games Atlas — Games Industry Intelligence (2026). Take-Two's Zelnick admits Borderlands movie failed as Lionsgate funded production risk. Published 6 Nov 2026. https://gamesatlas.app/article/take-twos-zelnick-admits-borderlands-movie-failed-as-lionsgate-funded
Take-Two's licensing model shields the balance sheet from production failure
- Lionsgate financed the Borderlands movie, covering all production costs.
- The film grossed $15.5 million domestically and $17.5 million internationally.
- Total worldwide box office reached about $33 million against a star-studded cast.
- "We didn't actually lose any money on it because Lionsgate funded it" - Strauss Zelnick, CEO, Take-Two
Zelnick calls the flop a mission failure despite the financial insulation
- Zelnick says Take-Two aims to deliver the best entertainment on Earth.
- He admits the studio "failed across our mission" with the Borderlands film.
- The admission signals reputational cost even where profit and loss stayed protected.
- Take-Two still greenlit the movie with Eli Roth directing and Tim Miller handling reshoots.
Take-Two stays selective on future film and TV adaptations
- Zelnick says Take-Two is "very selective" about adapting franchises for screen.
- A BioShock movie is now in development at Netflix with director Francis Lawrence attached.
- The project has yet to receive a confirmed production timeline.
Star power did not translate into box-office return despite the licensing shield
- The cast included Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Jamie Lee Curtis.
- Despite the star power, the film underperformed at $33 million worldwide.
- Take-Two avoided financial exposure, but the title failed to build franchise value through film.
- The gap between star casting and box-office return undercuts film as a tool for amplifying legacy IP.
What this means
- For Publishers & Developers: Require script and casting approval rights in every partner-financed screen adaptation contract.
- For Investors & VC: Strip screen-adaptation upside from valuation models for IP-heavy game publishers.