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‘Borderlands’ Movie Adaptation Receives Mixed Fan Reaction: First Details Released

By Regina Avalos
Published on: 22:14 PST, Aug 28, 2015

A Borderlands movie adaptation is in the works at Lionsgate. That is the one of the latest, big announcements at PAX 2015 this weekend. The planned movie adaptation was announced on Friday, and the news is generating a big buzz on social media.

Not everyone on Twitter is happy about the planned film. In fact, the adaptation news is receiving a mixed reaction in the media, as well.

There is good reason for the reaction, as there has not been a blockbuster Hollywood film based on a video game despite several attempts. Lionsgate is hoping to change that with the Borderlands film. They have brought two successful book franchises to the big screen with Twilight and The Hunger Games, and now they are turning their attention to video games.

Not much is known about the planned adaptation. The project is still very much in the planning stages, but it is known that Avi Arad and his son, Ari Arad, are behind the film. The duo will produce the film, according to Variety.

The pair knows a thing or two about making big successful films. They have helped create the “Iron Man, Spider-Man, The Amazing Spider-Man, X-Men, Ghost Rider and Blade” franchises.

Lionsgate is ready to take on the challenge. According to Slash Film, Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger, from Lionsgate, spoke about the decision to take on the video game for a big screen adaptation at PAX.

“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.”

What is Borderlands? It is a roleplaying, first-person shooter game that takes the player to the planet of Pandora. Gameplay consists of leveling up and collecting weapons as the player takes his or her character on an adventure through the world.

Borderlands hit the market first in 2009, and a sequel followed three years later. In 2014, a prequel for the series was released. To date, 26 million copies of the game have been sold. Gearbox Software created the game and Take-Two Interactive released the game.

Strauss Zelnick, from Take-Two Interactive, spoke about the project and Lionsgate’s involvement with the planned adaptation during the PAX presentation, as well.

“Lionsgate has emerged as a major creative force in the global marketplace with an incredible portfolio of brands; our partners at Gearbox have pioneered and cultivated an iconic property; and Avi and Ari Arad are two of the most successful producers of action franchises. This alliance is ideally positioned to create a bold, provocative, no-holds-barred motion picture phenomenon that will delight ‘Borderlands” current legions of fans and captivate moviegoers around the world.”

What else is known about the film? No cast has been set just yet, but the film is likely to be rated R considering the game is rated M for mature (17 and older) audiences.

Randy Pitchford, the president of Gearbox Software, expressed his excitement over the film on Friday, according to Gamespot. “Lionsgate really seems to get Borderlands. And we’re giving a mission to them, to make the first good movie based on a video game. And knowing Borderlands, it’s probably going to be rated R,” he said.

This announcement follows another big video game adaptation announcement. Assassin’s Creed fans can look forward to a video game adaptation coming to the big screen in 2016. Michael Fassbender is the star of the Assassin’s Creed film, with fans receiving their first look at Fassbender in character at PAX 2015 earlier this week. Production on the film began on Friday, as well.

Aymar Azaizia, the head of content for Assassin’s Creed, made a major reveal about the video game via Twitter on Friday, according to Coming Soon. The film and video game worlds will be connected.

As for the Borderlands adaptation, there is a mixed reaction to the project on social media. Some fans are excited about the film, but others know the track record when it comes to video game adaptations in Hollywood. Gamers have yet to see a film based on a video game make a big splash at the box office. Fans expressed their feelings about the Borderlands adaptation on Twitter.

Will Borderlands become a blockbuster hit? Can Lionsgate bring a video game to film successfully? What do you think?

[Photo via Borderlands on Facebook]

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