The Borderlands movie has fans of the video game series on the edge of their seats. From the start of filming in 2021 to additional shoots in 2023, and now its big screen debut on August 9 2024, the road has been long and bumpy for film unit.
But Randy Pitchford, who co-founded and runs Gearbox Software, believes every minute spent was well worth it. This piece takes a closer look at how the Borderlands movie came to life, with input from Pitchford and stars like Jamie Lee Curtis and Jack Black.
The journey of bringing the Borderlands movie to the big screen has been rocky. Shooting started in 2021, with major reshoots happening in 2023. Despite these setbacks, the film is now ready to premiere exciting many fans.
Randy Pitchford, whose company created the original video game, has played a key role in adapting the game for film. In a shared interview with Jamie Lee Curtis, who plays Tannis, Pitchford talked about the movie’s development and the hurdles they faced along the way.
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The Ups and Downs of Making the Movie
First Shoot and Do-Overs
The Borderlands movie ran into a lot of trouble during production. The team started shooting in 2021, but the COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench in the works just like it did for many other projects. In 2023, they had to do some reshoots to make sure the film lived up to what fans and creators were hoping for. Even with all these bumps in the road, Pitchford kept a positive outlook on how the project would turn out.
“It’s incredible, you know? Some moments are already worth it, no matter what happens next,” Pitchford said. He remembered a special scene with Jamie Lee Curtis and Cate Blanchett, who plays Lilith. “Seeing Jamie and Cate act out that scene as Dr. Tannis and Lilith was like a dream. It brought our digital characters to life in a way that was rewarding.”
Bringing Iconic Characters to Life
Bringing video game characters to the big screen comes with its own set of problems when these characters have unique voices and personalities. Claptrap, a character David Eddings voiced, is one such example. Jack Black stepped into the role for the movie adding a new but suitable energy to the character.
Pitchford talked about his initial idea for Claptrap. “When I first thought up the character, Jack Black fit what I had in mind. The character needed to be the most human, which meant being the most flawed going from overconfident to almost sad and pitiful.”
Jamie Lee Curtis and Cate Blanchett: A Power Pair
Curtis’s Reason
Jamie Lee Curtis joined the Borderlands project because she looked up to Cate Blanchett. “I’ve been unabashed in my devotion bowing at the temple that is Cate Blanchett,” Curtis said. The chance to work side by side with Blanchett was a big pull for Curtis even with the hurdles of shooting during the pandemic.
Immersion in the Borderlands Universe
Curtis dove into the Borderlands world, thanks to an eye-opening flight to Budapest where she met Kristy Pitchford, a seasoned writer at Gearbox and Randy’s wife. “From Germany to Hungary, I had the creator of the story tell me the background of the story, which I didn’t know. It changed everything and shed light on who Tannis was why she existed in the story, and what my role was.”
The Borderlands movie brings fan-favorite video game characters to the big screen with an impressive cast. Despite facing many hurdles, the film is ready to premiere in theaters. Both series enthusiasts and first-timers can dive into the colorful world of Pandora starting August 9. The movie aims to deliver an exciting journey that embodies the spirit of the Borderlands universe.
FAQs
When is the Borderlands movie releasing?
- The Borderlands movie will open in theaters on August 9 2024.
Who are the main cast members?
- The film has an influence on viewers with its star-studded lineup. Cate Blanchett plays Lilith, Jamie Lee Curtis takes on the role of Tannis, and Jack Black brings Claptrap to life.
How does the movie follow the game’s storyline?
- The movie stays loyal to the game’s essence, but some changes were necessary to adapt it for the big screen. The film keeps the main characters and crucial story elements in line with the original game.
What challenges did the production face?
- The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the production leading to setbacks and additional filming. These steps were taken to make sure the movie met high quality standards.
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