Remember six years ago when the Borderlands movie was first announced? It’s been a long wait, but we finally have some new developments for the highly anticipated film.
Comedian and actor Kevin Hart has officially been cast in the role of Roland after months of negotiations. His involvement in the film was first rumored back in December, but this official word is certainly good news that the movie is moving right along.
Cate Blanchett was also announced earlier last year for the role of Lilith in the film. Illuminerdi called her involvement “far from a predictable choice,” describing Lilith in the game as a “spunky, nerdy warrior and powerful magic-user.” I mean, she did play Galadriel in the Lord of the Rings movies, although I’d hardly call that a spunky role.
Yup, it’s real.
The BORDERLANDS Movie.
Starring
Cate Blanchett as Lilith
Kevin Hart as RolandBut here’s what we really want to know: Who do you think should play Claptrap?
More info here: https://t.co/96JlB5FZLG pic.twitter.com/bOGDoqP3XF
— The Game Awards (@thegameawards) January 26, 2021
Still, it will be interesting to see Hart’s performance in the film as he usually excels at comedic roles. Director Eli Roth may have other plans, though. “I’m thrilled to be working with Kevin [Hart],” Roth said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “Borderlands is a different kind of role for him, and we are excited to thrill audiences with a side of Kevin they’ve never seen before. He’s going to be an amazing Roland.”
I’m sure Roland is like 6’5 or something and Kevin Harts like 2’6…Weird casting choice imo
— Craig (@Vulgar_cowboy) January 26, 2021
The character of Roland in the game is a highly trained soldier from the planet Promethea. He loves the big guns, like shotguns and combat rifles, but his action skill is the upgradeable Scorpio Turret. It will be interesting to see how the game’s extensive weapon system will be portrayed in the film, whether it be through CGI or elaborate props. We’re also excited to see how the rest of the game’s main characters will be cast.
The original Borderlands game launched in 2009 with the most recent, Borderlands 3, coming out in September of 2019. The series has enjoyed wild success with more than 66 million units sold. Both Gearbox Entertainment Company and Take-Two Interactive will play a major part in producing the film with Lionsgate.
“I’m so excited to dive into the world of Borderlands and I could not be doing it with a better script, producing team, and studio,” Eli Roth said in February of last year when he was first announced as director. “I have a long, successful history with Lionsgate — I feel like we have grown up together and that everything in my directing career has led to a project of this scale and ambition. I look forward to bringing my own energy, ideas, and vision to the wild, fun, and endlessly creative world of the game. Randy Pitchford and everyone at Gearbox have been incredibly supportive of my ideas — it really feels like a perfect storm of creators coming together. We are out to make a new classic, one which the fans of the game will love, but also one which will find new audiences globally.”
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