Borderlands movie casts villain, will remain ‘authentic to characters, tone and style’

A-list adaptation reveals plot details

Lionsgate’s cinematic adaptation of Borderlands promises to retain the characters, world, and overall tone of the video games, while allowing for new and original storytelling within the wastelands of Pandora. At least that’s the score according to Eli Roth, who will be sitting in the director’s chair for the star-studded movie, which starts rolling later in 2021.

Roth made the comments in a recent interview with Deadline, where the goremeister addressed the plot of the upcoming movie. Borderlands will see a team of unlikely heroes on a hazardous quest to locate and protect the daughter of “the universe’ most powerful S.O.B.” Atlas, as the child allegedly wields unimaginable power that could shape the destiny of not only Pandora, but the entire universe.

Our squad of reprobates, headed up by world-weary outlaw Lillith (Cate Blanchett), includes disgraced mercenary Roland (Kevin Hart), twisted scientist Tannis (Jamie Lee Curtis), manic explosives expert Tiny Tina (Ariana Greenblatt) alongside her protector, Krieg (Florian Munteanu), and finally the dip-shit, wise-ass robot Claptrap (Jack Black). Joining the cast is villain Atlas, who will be portrayed by Edgar Ramirez of American Crime Story fame.

“What an incredible honor to have an actor of Edgar’s calibre, talent, and charisma playing opposite Cate Blanchett and this remarkable cast,” said Roth of the casting. “Atlas has to be a truly magnetic personality, someone with charisma and charm but that air of menace underneath it all. I’ve been a fan of Edgar’s since his early performances and he continues to amaze me with each dramatic turn. I am so, so excited to work with him.”

With a deliberate production pace, the capable Roth behind the lens, and an ever-growing cast of talented and established professionals, Borderlands is shaping up in fine form. Of course, there are still many moons to pass before we finally get to see this cinematic vision of Borderlands imaginative and explosive universe but, on paper at least, it appears that the wait may be more than worth it.