Jack Black’s Movie ‘Borderlands’ Struggling At Box Office After Bandmate Cheered Trump Assassination Attempt

Jack Black’s new movie “Borderlands” struggled at the box office on opening weekend, just weeks after his Tenacious D bandmate Kyle Gass cheered on the attempted assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump. He later apologized after the backlash affected both himself and Black.

The 54-year-old actor’s movie opened on Friday, and as of Monday, it came in fourth place at the box office, earning $8.8 million, behind the likes of the third “Deadpool” movie, “Deadpool and Wolverine,” Blake Lively’s “It Ends With Us,” and “Twisters,” the Hollywood Reporter reported.

Black’s new film reportedly had a production budget of $115 million, according to Variety. And that’s not counting another $30 million in distribution and marketing costs, the outlet noted. It earned a 10% on Rotten Tomatoes and “D+” CinemaScore, per the outlet.

In the film, Black is joined by stars such as Kevin Hart, Cate Blanchett, and Jamie Lee Curtis, in an action-adventure that’s based “on the best-selling video game” as it “follows a ragtag team of misfits on a mission to save a missing girl who holds the key to unimaginable power,” a description on IMBd read.

Check out an all-new clip from #Borderlands – in theaters August 9.

The film stars Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Black, Ariana Greenblatt, and Edgar Ramírez. pic.twitter.com/2JOIOd9wWQ

— Rotten Tomatoes (@RottenTomatoes) June 10, 2024

On July 16, Black’s Tenacious D bandmate Gass issued an apology for the “dangerous” comment he made about the assassination attempt on Trump.

The controversy began when the band was performing in Australia when Black brought Gass a birthday cake and asked him to make a wish — he replied from the stage, “Don’t miss Trump next time.” 

Gass made the comment less than 24 hours after a shooter attempted to assassinate the former president at Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The shooting injured Trump and left one of his supporters dead along with injuring two others.

“The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake,” Gass said in a statement, Variety noted.  “I don’t condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone.”

“What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgement,” he added. “I profoundly apologize to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.”

Backlash ensued against Gass and Black, and the “School of Rock” star apologized immediately for what happened and said he was “blindsided” by Gass’ comment, as previously reported.

“I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form,” Black said. “After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold. I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”

The talent agency, Greene Talent, representing the Gass, told TMZ they had parted ways and were no longer representing him.

Related: ‘Blindsided’ Jack Black Axes Tour After Bandmate Cheers Trump Assassination Attempt