How a passion project about hunting monsters became a global box office bomb
In short: Director Paul W. S. Anderson spent years bringing the Monster Hunter video game series to the big screen. Despite a $60 million budget and a star-studded cast, the 2020 film struggled to find its footing, ultimately becoming a box office disappointment while sparking controversy during its brief international release.
Conceived by director Paul W. S. Anderson in 2012, the film adaptation of the Capcom video game series was a long-gestating passion project. Anderson, who discovered the games during travels to Japan around 2008, sought to capture the immersive, beautiful world of the franchise. By 2016, he and producer Jeremy Bolt had secured the rights, aiming to replicate the success they found with the Resident Evil film series. The production, which officially began in October 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa, featured Milla Jovovich as Captain Natalie Artemis, a character created to introduce newcomers to the game's fantasy realm.
The film's path to theaters was complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to multiple release date shifts. When it finally arrived in late 2020, it faced a lukewarm reception. With a production budget of $60 million, the film grossed only $47.9 million worldwide. Critics offered mixed reviews; while many praised the visual effects, action sequences, and musical score, others criticized the direction and editing. The film even earned a nomination at the 19th Visual Effects Society Awards for its photoreal feature effects, yet it struggled to gain traction with audiences, leading Variety to note it would likely lose money.
Beyond its financial struggles, the film faced a significant cultural backlash in China. A scene featuring a pun on the word "knees" was interpreted by viewers as a reference to a racist playground chant, leading to the film's removal from Chinese theaters and a review-bombing campaign against the source video game. While Constantin Film and actor MC Jin apologized, clarifying that the line was intended to express pride in being a Chinese soldier, the incident highlighted the complexities of global distribution. Despite these setbacks, Anderson and Jovovich have expressed interest in a sequel, noting that the vast Monster Hunter universe offers hundreds of creatures that the film has only begun to explore.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Monster Hunter (film)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-monster-hunter-film.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
