Assassin’s Creed isn’t the only video game getting its first movie.
Lionsgate announced they are officially developing a film based on the video game series Borderlands. It will be produced by father and son Avi Arad and Ari Arad, who also helped produced franchises like Iron Man, X-Men, and Blade.
In fact, Avi Arad is the one who founded Marvel Studios so it’s fair to say he has some experience.
For those unfamiliar with the game, here’s the official synopsis:
In a distant future, the planets at the outer edges of the galaxy have become a beacon to fortune seekers and those yearning for a better life off world. But there are no guarantees in deep space. Pandora, one of these distant planets, was reported to be rich in untapped mineral wealth, and so drew many hoping to get rich quick, but in the end little was found beyond the scattered ruins of a past alien civilization. With nothing to gain, any who could soon abandoned Pandora, leaving those who remained to deal with the lawlessness of a world gone bust, and the mystery of the long-dead alien civilization. But as chaotic as these times were, there were worse days yet to come. After several years the planet’s huge orbit slowly brought it near to its sun and once unknown and horrifying creatures sprang from their long hibernation to terrify the stranded colonists. The only hope of the colonists seems to be a vault discovered in the side of a mountainside, rumored to contain alien technology and secrets about Pandora.
Not to be confused, of course, with James Cameron’s more lackluster Pandora.
It’s a story that has the potential to be great. However, Hollywood has proven that films based on video games are very hit or miss and without a director, writer, or cast announced, it’s hard to predict which one it will be, even with two great producers at its helm.
Unsurprisingly, everyone already on board is excited. Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-Chairs Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger released this statement:
“We believe that we’ve brought together the right partners, the ideal creative team and the perfect property to launch a new motion picture tent-pole for a global audience. Part of our strategy in entering the game space under Peter Levin has been to source new brands with built-in audiences that will translate into great films and television shows. The ‘Borderlands’ games don’t pull any punches, and we’ll make the movie with the same in-your-face attitude that has made the series a blockbuster mega-franchise.”
I hope they realize the fans will hold them to that statement.
Avi and Ari Arad had this to say about their own involvement:
“We’re thrilled to extend our partnership with Jon Feltheimer, Michael Burns, Rob, Patrick and the amazing team at Lionsgate and join forces with Take-Two and Gearbox on this incredible property. Borderlands has a unique story-driven narrative energy and rich multidimensional characters that position it to become a singular motion picture event.”
Lastly, Randy Pitchford, President and Co-Founder of Gearbox Software, the developer of the game, said:
“Creating, developing and continuing to build the Borderlands franchise at Gearbox Software has been an incredible ride where the most powerful fuel to our engine has been the astonishing outpouring of love and devotion from the fans. It is the passion of the fans driving the growing success of Borderlands that brought what I believe to be the best team of film producers, marketing and distribution experts in the world together to deliver the exciting story and unique characters of Borderlands to the big screen.”
I’m going to hold off on judgment of the claim best team until a director, writer, and cast are on board, but the film is still in early stages and it’s a lot more fun to be excited than cynical. All we can do is support the project and hope it turns out to be as awesome as everyone wants it to be.
Are you excited for a Borderlands movie? What’s your dream cast? Sound off in the comments!
