Borderlands Proves Cosplay Fan Films Are Now Major Studio Movies, See The Evidence

By Sckylar Gibby-Brown | Published

  • SUMMARY
  • The first Borderlands trailer looks like a fan film.
  • Based on the hit video game Borderlands, the film is bold, bright, and colorful, but is that a good thing?
  • Borderlands stars Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Jamie Lee Curtis.
  • The trailer has Borderlands fans concerned over the final product.

It’s not just fan fiction. After years of anticipation, Borderlands has finally released its first trailer. Announced nearly a decade ago, fans are now getting a taste of what’s to come with the upcoming movie adaptation directed by Eli Roth. 

The first Borderlands trailer reminds us of Guardians of the Galaxy.

And the first taste is tantalizing. Set against the catchy beats of Electric Light Orchestra’s “Do Ya,” the trailer zips through segments of scenes from the movie as a handful of Hollywood’s biggest stars group up and jump into the wild, untamed world of Pandora, Borderlands’ toughest planet. 

Set for release on August 9, 2024, the Borderlands movie boasts an ensemble cast of A-listers, including Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jack Black. Blanchett leads the charge as Lilith, the fiery outlaw determined to unearth the secrets hidden within Pandora’s treacherous landscapes.

From the onset, it’s clear that Roth’s vision stays true to the essence of the Borderlands universe.

At the heart of the movie lies the quest for a fabled vault rumored to contain unimaginable wealth and power. As Lilith and her band of misfits navigate the perilous terrain of Pandora, they encounter a slew of adversaries, from alien creatures to ruthless bandits, each posing a formidable challenge to their mission. While the trailer doesn’t strictly adhere to the canon of the video game series, the Borderlands film promises an exhilarating narrative that expands upon the universe fans know and love.

The cast of Borderlands

From the onset, it’s clear that Roth’s vision stays true to the essence of the Borderlands universe. The trailer introduces us to a motley crew of treasure hunters, each with their own quirks and agendas, reminiscent of the eclectic characters that populate the game. With Lilith at the helm, accompanied by Roland, Tiny Tina, and the wise-cracking Claptrap voiced by Jack Black, the stage is set for a rollicking adventure through a world teeming with danger and eccentricity.

The movie’s aesthetic remains faithful to the anarchic, over-the-top style that defines Borderlands.

Borderlands is produced by Avi Arad and Erik Feig, the first of whom produced another video-game movie adaptation, Uncharted, starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg. While the critics hated Uncharted, fans loved the adaptation. This time around, there’s a good chance Arad will win the favor of both critics and fans since he seems to be taking a page out of James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy playbook.

Ariana Greenblatt as Tiny Tina

In addition to choosing a rocking Electric Light Orchestra tune for the trailer (which is very Guardians-esque), Borderlands promises to be a high-energy, hilarious, space adventure movie filled with a rag-tag crew, all of which is similar to the incredibly successful franchise Gunn developed for the MCU.

In addition to a fun cast and the upbeat adventure vibe, one of the most striking aspects of the trailer is its visual fidelity to the source material. The movie’s aesthetic remains faithful to the anarchic, over-the-top style that defines Borderlands. From the vibrant vistas of Pandora to the outlandish character designs, every frame exudes the irreverent charm that has endeared the franchise to millions of players worldwide.

Cate Blanchett in Borderlands

With its larger-than-life characters, pulse-pounding action, and irrepressible charm, the film promises to be a rollicking ride from start to finish. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the games or a newcomer to the franchise, one thing is certain: the Borderlands movie is proof cosplay films can be high-budget studio blockbusters.