The trailer for Lionsgate’s much-anticipated Borderlands movie has dropped, delivering a riotous, if not controversial, first look at the video game adaptation. Directed by Eli Roth, who co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Crombie, the upcoming film adaptation follows Cate Blanchett’s alien outlaw Lilith, “an infamous bounty hunter with a mysterious past,” as she “reluctantly returns to her home, Pandora, the most chaotic planet in the galaxy”. Judging by the first clip, Blanchett does a solid job of the role, but social media isn’t exactly convinced by the rest of the cast.
As per the official logline, Lilith’s “mission is to find the missing daughter of Atlas (Ramírez), the universe’s most powerful S.O.B. Lilith forms an unexpected alliance with a ragtag team of misfits. Together, these unlikely heroes must battle an alien species and dangerous bandits to uncover one of Pandora’s most explosive secrets. The fate of the universe could be in their hands – but they’ll be fighting for something more: each other.”
Joining Blanchett’s Lilith, is comedian Kevin Hart as Roland, a seasoned mercenary, while Jamie Lee Curtis joins as the mad scientist Dr. Tannis, with Ariana Greenblatt as demolitionist Tiny Tina and Florian Munteanu as her enforcer Krieg. Jack Black brings everyone’s favourite robot, Claptrap, to life.
Eli Roth’s take on Borderlands, judging by the trailer, feels like a fun and action-packed romp through Pandora’s wacky landscapes, blending the game’s comic book-inspired aesthetic with irreverent humour and a Guardians of the Galaxy-esque vibe. It introduces us to the motley crew led by Cate Blanchett’s Lilith as they embark on a perilous quest for riches beyond imagination across the hostile planet Pandora, a “dumpster fire of a world” in Lilith’s own words.
Familiar characters and iconic locations will make Borderlands veterans feel familiar, while the trailer’s quirky soundtrack and vibrant aesthetic hint at a wild ride with its own unique flair. Lionsgate’s adaptation has been a long time coming, first announced in 2015. While Eli Roth was originally attached to direct from a screenplay by Craig Mazin, the script was later replaced by a rewrite by Roth and Joe Crombie and even went through a bunch of reshoots early last year. Borderlands hits theatres on August 9.
