Craig Mazinhas recently addressed rumors of his involvement in the upcoming Lionsgate filmBorderlands. Mazin is the renowned creator of HBO’sChernobyland, with Neil Druckmann, the co-creatorThe Last of Us.
In an exclusive interview withVariety, Mazin emphatically denied having a writing credit on the movie and rejected speculations of using a pseudonym for the project. The acclaimed Emmy-winning writer and producer further distanced himself from reports suggesting that he co-wrote the movie.
Speculation on Mazin’s involvement in the project commenced in February 2020, following Lionsgate’s announcement that Eli Roth would direct the movie based on Mazin’s script. As the year progressed, it emerged that Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier had revised Mazin’s original draft, with Roth also lending his creative insights.
By June 2023, rumors had surfaced that Mazin had strategically distanced himself from the project, taking up the pseudonym Joe Crombie. However, these reports were recently negated by Mazin himself. Mazin stated,
“I am not a credited writer on the film, so I cannot claim any kind of authorship of Borderlands, much less ‘co-writing. I did see the report about the pseudonym, which is false. I did not use a pseudonym. If the name in question is indeed a pseudonym, all I can say is… it’s not mine.”
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A Highly Anticipated Film Fueled by a Stellar Cast and Mysterious Plot
Despite the ongoing discussions surrounding the screenwriting team, the filming forBorderlandsconcluded successfully in June 2021. First-look images of an illustrious cast, including Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu, and Jack Black, were released shortly thereafter, fueling the anticipation for the film’s release.
The movie has seen significant developments since the conclusion of the filming. In January 2023,Deadpool’s director Tim Miller joined the team to supervise a series of reshoots. Although there were speculations that Lionsgate had replaced Roth due to these reshoots, subsequent reports indicated Roth had left the project on amicable terms to work on another feature, and Miller’s entry was a mutual decision between him and the studio.
While the plot forBorderlandsremains a closely guarded secret, some insights into the character dynamics were shared by Jamie Lee Curtis. Speaking about her character, Dr. Patricia Tannis, Curtis revealed that Tannis has autism and exhibits objectum sexuality, implying a romantic attraction to inanimate objects.
Curtis also hinted at her character’s connection to Cate Blanchett’s character, Lilith, drawing attention to a potentially intriguing backstory. Furthermore, Curtis described the film’s tone as eccentric, wacky, and fun, underscoring its entertainment value.
Adding to the behind-the-scenes details, Kevin Hart disclosed his rigorous preparation for the role of Roland, which includedtraining with Navy SEALs. Hart emphasized the film’s fidelity to the aesthetic of the original video game and commended Roth for his directorial prowess. He also suggested that the film promises a unique visual spectacle.
With an expected theatrical release in 2024,Borderlandswill subsequently be made available for streaming free of cost on The Roku Channel. Amidst the uncertainty surrounding the attribution of the writing, the film continues to generate immense excitement as audiences eagerly anticipate its release, driven by a stellar ensemble cast and captivating glimpses into the storyline.
