Does the Borderlands Movie Follow the Story of the Games?

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Does the Borderlands Movie Follow the Story of the Games?

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  • Borderlands Does Not Take Place in the Same Universe As Games
  • Borderlands Works Better as an Independent Film Franchise

As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in both the silver screen and the digital realm, I must say that my anticipation for the upcoming adaptation of Borderlands is at an all-time high. Having played the original games and witnessed firsthand their unique blend of humor, action, and unparalleled world-building, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation as I approach this cinematic endeavor.

The upcoming action-adventure movie titled “Borderlands,” featuring stars like Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, and Jamie Lee Curtis, is generating immense excitement this year. This anticipation might stem from the stellar careers of these actors who have starred in hit films such as “Halloween” (Curtis), “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” (Hart), and “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (Blanchett). However, a significant factor contributing to this eagerness is that the film is adapted from a well-known video game series sharing the same name.

Fans of Borderlands have high hopes for the movie adaptation, given the popularity and success of the initial video games and the star-studded cast. However, some gamers are questioning whether the film will live up to its source material, particularly after viewing the official trailer which seems to present a misleading image. Prior to this, there was uncertainty among those who played the games as to how closely the movie would follow the original plot.

Borderlands Does Not Take Place in the Same Universe As Games

Given that the game “Borderlands” is based on pre-existing source material instead of a fresh screenplay, it’s reasonable to think it would closely follow the original. However, Randy Pitchford, founder of Gearbox, announced via Twitter that the “Borderlands Cinematic Universe,” starting with the film “Borderlands,” will not take place in the same universe as the initial games.

To put it simply, although both the film and the original games share common elements like characters and setting, their main narratives will vary significantly. The movie follows a group of adventurers on a unifying mission in a dystopian world, while the games center around a quest by Vault Hunters to find a treasure-filled vault on Pandora. Furthermore, there are numerous differences in character development and casting between the two versions.

Does the Borderlands Movie Follow the Story of the Games?Does the Borderlands Movie Follow the Story of the Games?Does the Borderlands Movie Follow the Story of the Games?

In the movie, Lilith (Cate Blanchett) and Tannis (Jamie Lee Curtis), unlike their video game counterparts, are portrayed as older characters. At the time of the first game’s release, Lilith was 27 years old, and Tannis is roughly from the same age group. However, casting Cate Blanchett and Jamie Lee Curtis in these roles, who seem a tad older than their game versions, hints that the movie may have different intentions. It’s plausible that the independent story could be enhanced by the cast, but it appears that Tannis, unlike her game persona, doesn’t show as much interest in women in the film version.

Beyond this, the characters played by Kevin Hart (Roland) and Ariana Greenblatt (Tina) have experienced substantial transformations from their initial game versions. In the new version, Hart’s Roland is a skilled weapons specialist with a robust build, while Tina is an erratic teenager who enjoys causing explosions. Considering the numerous alterations in the movie compared to the game, it’s reasonable to expect that only a limited number of original elements will be present in the upcoming film adaptation.

Borderlands Works Better as an Independent Film Franchise

Does the Borderlands Movie Follow the Story of the Games?Does the Borderlands Movie Follow the Story of the Games?Does the Borderlands Movie Follow the Story of the Games?

In most cases, when a film strays from its source material, it usually leads to disappointment. However, this isn’t the case with the movie adaptation of Borderlands. While the original game was heavily story-driven, in the gameplay, the narrative took a backseat and didn’t dominate the player’s experience. Instead, the games were more about loot collection and introducing new characters, which added excitement to the progression.

If the movie adaptation of Borderlands stays faithful to the video game, it might not offer much in terms of a compelling story, but it will delight fans of the original games. However, the film is expected to incorporate many aspects from the source material, like the lore, the environment, and its unique aesthetic, even for a dystopian universe.

Given that the movie is inspired by the video game but not strictly following its rules, it offers flexibility to simplify technical aspects, ensuring those unfamiliar with the games can fully appreciate the plot without feeling left out. This freedom allows the creators to innovate within the universe of Borderlands, blending their original ideas with beloved elements from the source material. The result is a unique and potentially more engaging experience for viewers, who may discover they enjoy it more than expected.

The innovative style of the upcoming “Borderlands” movie could potentially shape the future of similar games, as it introduces fresh storylines. This is a mutually beneficial situation for Gearbox Software, making the film an exciting prospect to anticipate. Ultimately, with creative talents like Eli Roth and Joe Crombie involved, the movie promises to be a rewarding experience on the big screen.

Borderlands will be released in theaters worldwide on August 9, 2024.

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2024-08-10 01:31