Borderlands is an upcoming American science fiction action comedy film directed by Eli Roth, who co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Crombie, based on the video game series of the same name developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K. It stars an ensemble cast featuring Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Jamie Lee Curtis.
Borderlands is set to be released by Lionsgate Films on August 9, 2024.
Premise
Cast
Cate Blanchett as Lilith
Kevin Hart as Roland
Jack Black as Claptrap
Jamie Lee Curtis as Dr. Patricia Tannis
Ariana Greenblatt as Tiny Tina
Florian Munteanu as Krieg
Haley Bennett
Édgar Ramírez as Atlas
Bobby Lee as Larry
Olivier Richters as Krom
Janina Gavankar as Commander Knoxx
Gina Gershon as Mad Moxxi
Cheyenne Jackson as Jakobs
Charles Babalola as Hammerlock
Benjamin Byron Davis as Marcus
Steven Boyer as Scooter
Ryann Redmond as Ellie
Additionally, Penn Jillette has a cameo in the film as a preacher overseeing a wedding, after voicing Pain in Borderlands 3.
Production
In May 2015, Leigh Whannell was courted to write and direct an adaptation of the video game series Borderlands being developed by Lionsgate Films. The film was officially announced in August 2015, with Ari and Avi Arad of Arad Productions producing; however Whannell's involvement was left omitted. Aaron Berg was tapped to pen an R-rated take on the material in April 2016. By June 2018, Oren Uziel assumed scripting duties from Berg.
In February 2020, Eli Roth was attached to direct the film from a screenplay written by Craig Mazin, with Erik Feig joining as producer through his production company Picturestart. Cate Blanchett entered negotiations to play the role of Lilith in May 2020, with Lionsgate confirming she would star later in the month. Kevin Hart was confirmed to play Roland in January 2021. In February, Jamie Lee Curtis was cast as Dr. Patricia Tannis, and Jack Black for the voice of Claptrap. The following month, Ariana Greenblatt and Florian Munteanu were cast as Tiny Tina and Krieg respectively, with Haley Bennett cast in an undisclosed role. Édgar Ramírez, Olivier Richters, and Janina Gavankar joined the cast in April, alongside Gina Gershon, Cheyenne Jackson, Charles Babalola, Benjamin Byron Davis, Steven Boyer, Ryann Redmond, and Bobby Lee. By that same month, Mazin's script had been rewritten by Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier; and again by Roth. Penn Jillette announced in May that he would have a small role as a preacher in the film.
Filming officially began on April 1, 2021 in Budapest, Hungary, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film wrapped on June 22. On June 4, 2021, first look images of the cast were released. The black and white images obscured all but the cast's silhouettes.
In January 2023, it was announced the film would be going through two weeks of reshoots directed by Tim Miller, due to Roth's commitments to Thanksgiving (2023). While Roth would not be involved with the reshoots, he remained attached to the film and gave Miller his blessing. Zak Olkewicz scribed new pages for Miller. In June 2023, Mazin removed his name from the project, replaced by Joe Crombie; Mazin denied reports that Crombie was his pseudonym. Additional literary material credits were given to Berg, Uziel, Taylor, Rettenmaier, Olkewicz, Chris Bremner, and Sam Levinson.
Music
In June 2021, Nathan Barr was announced to score the film, having collaborated with Roth in some of his previous works. However, in October 2023, it was announced that Steve Jablonsky would be taking over scoring duties for Barr.
Release
Borderlands is set to be released theatrically in the United States by Lionsgate Films on August 9, 2024. On November 9, 2022 test screenings were held.
Marketing
During Lionsgate's panel at the 2022 CinemaCon, approximately one-minute of exclusive footage was shown.