The highly anticipated Borderlands movie adaptation has encountered a series of setbacks, leaving fans concerned about its progress. After years of directorial struggles, Eli Roth was announced as the director in 2020, with a script penned by Craig Mazin. However, recent developments have raised worries about the film’s future.
The initial cause for concern emerged when it was revealed that Deadpool director Tim Miller would oversee reshoots for the film. However, this was attributed to scheduling conflicts, as Eli Roth was engaged in his holiday slasher film, Thanksgiving.
Borderlands in deep trouble after writer leaves project midway
Alarmingly, it was reported that 10 different writers had been involved in the Borderlands project, and now, the Last of Us fame writer Craig Mazin has decided to remove his name from the film entirely. The extent of changes made during reshoots remains undisclosed, but Mazin’s departure at such a late stage suggests significant alterations to the original script.
Borderlands boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Cate Blanchett, Jack Black, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Hart, and others. However, the project has shown little progress in the past two years, and with Mazin disassociating himself from the film, it indicates that his original script may not be followed. Notably, the Writers Guild of America has approved the use of the pseudonym “Joe Crombie” for the writing credit.
The #Borderlands film appears to be in trouble
• Writer Craig Mazin has removed his name from the project
• 10 writers have now worked on the script including Sam Levinson
• Reshoots without director Eli Roth happened earlier this year
The film stars Cate Blanchett,… pic.twitter.com/IuYUjqj7V2
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) July 11, 2023
Aside from Mazin and Eli Roth, several writers have contributed to the Borderlands script, including Zak Olkewicz, Aaron Berg, Oren Uziel, Juel Taylor, Tony Rettenmaier, Chris Bremner, Gary Ross, and The Idol famed Sam Levinson. While these writers possess notable talent, the involvement of multiple writers may raise concerns about the cohesion of the story and its execution.
What is the Borderlands all about?
Borderlands is a science fiction action comedy film, which aims to bring the popular video game series to the big screen. Directed by Eli Roth, the movie delves into the thrilling adventures of a group of unlikely heroes on the planet Pandora.
The story follows the journey of Lilith, a notorious outlaw with a mysterious past, who reluctantly returns to her home planet in search of Atlas, the universe’s most powerful figure. Her mission is to find Atlas’ missing daughter, a task that forces her to forge an alliance with a team of unexpected companions.
This diverse group includes Roland, a former elite mercenary seeking redemption, Tiny Tina, a wild and skilled demolitionist, Krieg, Tina’s fiercely protective musclebound guardian, Tannis, a scientist with a fragile grip on sanity, and Claptrap, a wisecracking and persistent robot. Together, they confront alien monsters and dangerous bandits, all while protecting the missing girl who may possess unimaginable power. Beyond saving the universe, their fight becomes a battle for camaraderie and loyalty.
READ MORE: New Tales from the Borderlands Review: A Talking Gun with a Smart Mouth (PS5)
With its star-studded cast and the promise of thrilling action and comedic moments, Borderlands has garnered considerable excitement among fans. However, the troubled production of the Borderlands film adaptation has left fans anxious about its fate. With directorial changes, multiple writers, and Craig Mazin’s departure, the project’s future remains uncertain. As fans eagerly await further updates, hopes persist that the film will ultimately see the light of day and deliver a satisfactory cinematic experience for Borderlands enthusiasts.
Source: Slash Films
