Kevin Hart has officially joined the cast of the upcoming Borderlands movie, a project that I'm still genuinely amazed is a thing that's going to be happening.
Hart has been cast as Roland, a prominent character that fans of the video game franchise will remember from the first two games, as well as the pre-sequel. The press release for Hart's casting describes Roland as an "ex-soldier turned mercenary," which certainly tracks with his backstory in the games.
Roland was one of the playable vault hunters in the original Borderlands, before going on to star as an important NPC in the latter games. A former member of the Crimson Lance military unit, Roland was honorably discharged and decided to use his know-how on the battlefield to get out there and take all the loot he could carry. His playstyle involved plenty of shotguns, turrets, and assault rifles, so expect to see Hart make use of these in the upcoming movie.
Hart will star alongside two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, who was cast several months ago as the powerful Siren Lilith. The movie will be directed by Eli Roth (Hostel). Gearbox founder Randy Pitchford is serving as an executive producer on the project.
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"I'm thrilled to be working with Kevin," Roth said in a press release. "Borderlands is a different kind of role for him, and we are excited to thrill audiences with a side of Kevin they've never seen before. He's going to be an amazing Roland."
Blanchett and Roth, meanwhile, last worked together on 2018's kid-friendly horror movie The House With A Clock In Its Walls, which is actually not that bad at all. Borderlands, of course, will be far more likely to skew the way of Roth's more grown-up offerings like Hostel and Cabin Fever. Just with more self-aware humour and memes, probably.
Production has yet to start on Borderlands, but last we heard Craig Mazin was providing the script. Mazin won an Emmy for writing the hit show Chernobyl and is currently working on HBO's The Last Of Us, which is another sign that Borderlands has attracted some major talent. Is there a chance a Borderlands movie could be... good? We'll have to wait and see.
Topics: Movies, News, Borderlands