Way back at the beginning of May, which seems like a decade ago now, Cate Blanchett was rumored to be joining theBorderlandsmovie adaptation as Lilith. Lionsgate has now confirmed that the actress has joined the movie. Many were worried that Blanchett had aged out of the Lilith role, but this is the direction the production has decided to move in. Lionsgate also confirms that Eli Roth will be directing the movie. This will serve as a reunion of sorts for Blanchett and Roth, as they madeThe House with a Clock in Its Wallsfor the studio. Here is what the official press release has to say.
“Global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) today announced that two-time Academy Award® winner Cate Blanchett has closed a deal to star in director Eli Roth’s adaptation ofBorderlands. Nathan Kahane, President of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, and Erin Westerman, President of Motion Picture Production for the studio made the announcement today.”
The project reunitesCate Blanchettwith Eli Roth after starring in the director’s hit filmThe House with a Clock in Its Walls, which opened #1 at the box office.Cate Blanchett will lead the cast as Lilith, a siren and legendary thief equipped with magical skills.
Blanchett currently stars inMrs. America, which she also executive produces. In addition toBorderlands, Blanchett will star in James Gray’s upcomingArmageddon Times, and Adam McKay’sDon’t Look Up. She has starred in films includingThe Lord of the RingsTrilogy andThor: Ragnarok, among others. She won Academy Awards for her performances inThe AviatorandBlue Jasmine. About the addition of Cate Blanchett to theBorderlandsmovie,Eli Rothsays this.
“I’m so lucky to have the amazing Cate Blanchett starring inBorderlands. We had the most incredible collaboration together onThe House with a Clock in Its Walls, and I believe there’s nothing she can’t do. From drama to comedy and now action, Cate makes every scene sing. Working with her is truly a director’s dream come true, and I feel so fortunate that I get to do it again on an even bigger scale. Everyone brings their A-game to work with Cate, and I know together we’re going to create another iconic character in her already storied career.”
Based on the bestselling PC and console gaming experience from developer Gearbox Software and publisher 2K, a wholly owned label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO),Borderlandswill be produced by Avi Arad and Ari Arad, who produce through their Arad Productions banner, and Erik Feig, through PICTURESTART, who have shepherded the project and overseen development, including the latest draft of the screenplay by the two-time Emmy-winning screenwriter Craig Mazin. The film’s executive producers are Randy Pitchford, executive producer of the Borderlands video game franchise and founder of the Gearbox Entertainment Company, and Strauss Zelnick, chairman and CEO of Take-Two Interactive.
Borderlandsis one of the world’s most successfulvideo game franchises, with more than 57 million units sold-in worldwide, including over 22 million units of Borderlands 2, which is the highest-selling title in the history of 2K. The most recent installment, Borderlands 3, which launched in September 2019, already sold-in nearly 8 million units worldwide and was honored with the award for “Best Multiplayer Game” at Gamescom. This news comes direct from Lionsgate.
