Laughter and good vibes were prevalent today during Lionsgate’s presentation atCinemaConin Las Vegas, but nobody was having more fun thanEli Roth,Ariana Greenblatt, and the rest of the folks behindBorderlands. Attendees were treated to a video message from leading stars,Cate Blanchett,Kevin Hart,Jack Black, andJamie Lee Curtis, with Roth and Greenblatt appearing in the flesh. Even without everyone physically there, it was clear that the team had a wonderful time turning the title from a video game into what will likely be an on-screen phenomenon, with those of us in the audience catching an extended sneak peek ofthe action that will unfold on August 9.
Taking the reins on a popular game andturning it into a feature-length productionisn’t a small feat by any stretch of the imagination, but from the latest look, Roth has things fully under control. The chemistry between the actors is oozing as the team goes on an otherworldly adventure filled with explosions, flame throwers, and quippy one-liners with a hefty side of dysfunctional chosen-family dynamics. The adaptation of thegame seriesthat’s been around for well over a decade is stunningly vibrant, completely pulling audiences in and making them feel that they’re not only part of the story but part of the family as well.
During a brief Q&A session, Roth revealed that what began as a “faith-based” project quickly began to flourish after Blanchett joined the cast. The director, who found a box office hit and franchise opportunity last year withThanksgiving, said that theTárandCarolactress was excited to step out of the roles that she was used to appearing in and eager to pick up a flame thrower and get her hands dirty in a completely different genre. Greenblatt, who admitted to not wearing glasses or contacts to not be intimidated by the sheer number of attendees, said that working alongside such a call sheet of legendary talent was something that she still can’t fully comprehend. “Literally, it blew my mind every single day,” the up-and-coming actress said.
Who Else Is In ‘Borderlands’?
Filling out an already impressive lineup are even more icons, includingEdgar Ramírez(Florida Man),Gina Gershon(Bound),Florian Munteanu(Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings),Bobby Lee(Reservation Dogs),Olivier Richters(Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny),Haley Bennett(The Equalizer), and more.
Learn everything there is to know aboutBorderlandsin our handy guideand stay tuned for more information about the project and all things CinemaCon.
Borderlands
A feature film based on the popular video game set on the abandoned fictional planet of Pandora where people search for a mysterious relic.
