Lionsgate, a premier next generation global content leader, is teaming with the publisher and creators of Borderlands, and renowned producersAvi Aradand Ari Arad to adapt Gearbox Software’s critically-acclaimed blockbuster video gameBorderlandsinto a tent-pole feature film, the parties announced today.Borderlandsis an action role-playing first-person shootervideo gamecreated and developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K, a wholly owned label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
The award-winningBorderlandsfranchise has been lauded by critics and over the years has built a passionate global fan base, shipping more than 26 million copies around the world since its launch in 2009, including 8 million copies shipped during Take Two’s fiscal year 2015 alone. Set in the frontier of a sci-fi universe,Borderlandsis best known for Gearbox’s blending of irreverent humor and characters, with a uniquecomic-bookart style, and co-operative four-player genre-bending, loot-grabbing gameplay. It’s a franchise that in the last six years has ushered in a new and popular category of first-person shooters.
TheBorderlandsfilm creative team will be led by producersAvi Aradand Ari Arad, who are responsible for some of the most successful motion picture and television franchises in history, includingIron Man,Spider-Man,The Amazing Spider-Man,X-Men,Ghost RiderandBlade. Theadaptationdoesn’t have a screenwriter or director attached at this time. Here’s what Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-Chairs Robert Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger had to say in a statement.
“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. TheBorderlandsgames 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.”
It isn’t known if the adaptation will be based on the originalBorderlandsgame, or the sequelBorderlands2, which was released in 2012. Here’s what Take-Two Interactive Chairman and Chief Executive OfficerStrauss Zelnickhad to say in his statement regarding the highly-anticipated adaptation.
“OurBorderlandsfranchise continues to grow in popularity, and we’ve assembled a team with the strengths needed to introduce this amazing cross-platform property to a whole new global audience. 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; andAvi Aradand Ari Arad are two of the most successful producers ofaction franchises. This alliance is ideally positioned to create a bold, provocative, no-holds-barred motion picture phenomenon that will delightBorderlands' current legions of fans and captivate moviegoers around the world.”
ProducersAvi Aradand Ari Arad are also developing ananimated movieversion ofSpider-Man, which will be directed byPhil LordandChris Miller. They are also producing an adaptation of another popular video game,Uncharted. Here’s what the producers had to say in a statement.
“We’re thrilled to extend our partnership with Jon Feltheimer, Michael Burns, Rob, Patrick and the amazing team at Lionsgate and join forces with Take-Two and Gearbox on this incredible property.Borderlandshas a unique story-driven narrative energy and rich multidimensional characters that position it to become a singular motion picture event.”
The deal was orchestrated by a Lionsgate team led by President of Interactive Ventures & GamesPeter Levin, Summit Entertainment President of ProductionGeoff Shaevitzand Lionsgate Motion Picture Group President of Business & Legal AffairsPatricia Laucella. It isn’t known how far along in development the project is at this time. Here’s whatRandy Pitchford, President and Co-Founder of Gearbox Software, had to say in his statement.
“Creating, developing and continuing to build theBorderlandsfranchise at Gearbox Software has been an incredible ride where the most powerful fuel to our engine has been the astonishing outpouring of love and devotion from the fans. It is the passion of the fans driving the growing success of Borderlands that brought what I believe to be the best team of film producers, marketing and distribution experts in the world together to deliver the exciting story and unique characters of Borderlands to the big screen.”
Are you excited to see what this team can do with aBorderlandsmovie? The title is one of the hottest video games on the market, which makes it a perfect title to adapt for the big screen. Well keep you posted on any further developments regarding this Borderlands project as soon as more information comes in.
