Cate Blanchett. Kevin Hart. Jack Black.
These three A-list actors in the same movie will guarantee a high-laughing, slapstick-style film. But seeing their names together on the cast list for the upcoming Borderlands movie was not exactly the feature I had in mind.
“The fate of the universe could be in their hands—but they’ll be fighting for something more: each other,” the movie description says. Based on what’s been released, this description reads like the synopses for Suicide Squad and Birds of Prey, with which the film seems to have many shared characteristics.
As a beloved fan of the Borderlands video game franchise, the choice to cast true-blooded, slapstick comedians within the movie screams that they are diluting the film. Hint — what were they thinking with Kevin Hart?
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What We Know About the Borderlands Movie
For those who have played the Borderlands video games, the first thing they will notice is that the artistic direction in the movie is very similar to its source material. It’s bright, flashy and somewhat aggressive, with neons in the viewer’s face.
In the video game, the main character, Lilith, is looking for a fabled vault full of beyond-this-world treasure. As such, she hires a crew to help her return to this unknown place on her home planet. However, in the movie, this wanted woman is searching for a missing girl.
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“These unlikely heroes must battle alien monsters and dangerous bandits to find and protect the missing girl, who may hold the key to unimaginable power,” says the movie’s description.
The trailer, released on February 21, gives the full rundown for the cast and crew. Cate Blanchett is slated for Lillith, clad in desert-style nomad clothes and sporting bright orange hair. Jamie Lee Curtis plays the mad scientist Dr. Tannis, and Jack Black is the voice actor for Claptrap. Kevin Hart plays the soldier Roland.
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Why the Casting Fails the Film
Now, obviously, all these actors are incredible. They have proven that in the numerous films they have starred in over their decades of experience. However, they are, for the most part, comedians. While there are comedic aspects to Borderlands, it is not a mere slapstick story.
In my opinion, and that of much of the online community, Hart as Roland is the worst casting. The mercenary character is stoic, intense and serious—a leader amongst men. While I don’t follow all of his films, I do not see many of those traits in Hart’s acting.
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While I have my complaints, Black’s casting as Claptrap does seem to fit with the wisecracking robot’s character. However, the Borderlands series is not just about making “mine’s bigger” jokes. It appears that Lionsgate is comfortable reducing it to that.
Borderlands premieres in theaters on August 9, 2024.
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