It seems that, like many other movie releases,Borderlandsmay not be a standalone adventure, but the start of a newBorderlandsCinematic Universe according to Gearbox Software’s CEO Randy Pitchford. Even though the movie is not released until August, it seems that there are some hopeful and ambitious plans already being discussed behind the scenes that would seeBorderlandsbecome another sprawling franchise in an increasingly overcrowdedvideo game-to-moviemarket.
Borderlands
Based on the video game franchise, Borderlands is a sci-fi action-comedy film that follows Cate Blanchett as Lilith, a treasure hunter who returns to her home planet, Pandora, to find a tycoon’s missing daughter. Together with a group of unlikely allies, such as a soldier, a teenaged demolitions expert, a wise-cracking robot, and an eccentric scientist, the group will work together to save the girl - all while learning to deal with each other’s unyielding quirks.
Pitchford unveiled this ambitious plan in a recent conversation withIGN, which would mark a significant upgrade from the original plan, especially considering it has taken almost ten years to bring the film to fruition from its original conception. According to the CEO, the cinematic universe would act as an expansion on the game franchise, which would co-exist alongside it. He said:
“So this isn’t Borderlands 1. This isn’t Borderlands 2. The Borderlands movie is the first of the Borderlands Cinematic Universe. And you’ll see some characters from some of the different parts of what you might know from the video games. But it also gives us an opportunity to get deeper and expand a little bit.”
TheBorderlandsvideo game series is renowned for its unique blend of first-person shooter mechanics with role-playing elements, set on the dystopian, treasure-laden planet of Pandora – not to be confused with the Pandora of James Cameron’sAvatarmovies. Its distinct style, characterized by its offbeat humor, and eclectic characters, has drawn in a dedicated fan base. For that reason alone,the transition from game to film comes with high expectationsand will have to capture the essence ofBorderlands’storytelling and character dynamics to please those fans, while remaining open enough for newcomers to find a way into that world.
Who Stars in the Borderlands Movie?
Borderlandscan certainly not be accused of scrimping when it comes to the assembled cast. The film is littered with Oscar-winners including Cate Blanchett as Lilith, Kevin Hart as Roland, Jack Black voicing Claptrap, Jamie Lee Curtis as Doctor Tannis, Ariana Greenblatt as Tiny Tina, and Florian Munteanu as Krieg. Directed by horror-loving Eli Roth, the film certainly has everything it needs to capture everything that makes the games so popular, blending brutal action sequences with the franchise’s unique brand of humor.
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The anticipation surrounding theBorderlandsfilm’s release is mounting following the release of the first trailer for the film. With the promise of a whole cinematic universe in the offing, the question now is whetherBorderlandswill be able to generate enough interest to warrant a continuation beyond the initial film. With box office success becoming increasingly unpredictable and not a guarantee even for franchises with a huge following, fans ofBorderlandswill need to back the film in cinemas on its release if they want to see the grand plan continue in the future.
Borderlandsis released on June 18, 2025.
