If George Miller‘s “Mad Max” film series was remade into a role-playing first-person shooter video game, you’d get “Borderlands”.
The game series, which was developed by Gearbox Software, has been lauded by critics and received commercial success partly due to its sense of humour. It was first released in October 2009 and its sequel as well as its pre-sequel were released in 2012 and 2014 respectively.
With almost everything about the game’s world directly inspired by the “Mad Max” films, we wouldn’t be surprised that a feature film version of the game could be in the works.
True enough, Lionsgate has announced that they will develop a live-action feature film adaptation of the famed video game series. According to Coming Soon, Avi Arad, who is best known for producing 2008’s “Iron Man” and the “Spider-Man” film series, will produce it with his son Ari Arad.
Regarding the big screen version of “Borderlands”, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-Chairs Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger said 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.
They added, “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. The ‘Borderlands’ games 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.”
Publisher Take-Two Interactive Chairman and CEO Strauss Zelnick also said, “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; and Avi and Ari Arad are 2 of the most successful producers of action franchises.”
He added, “This alliance is ideally positioned to create a bold, provocative, no-holds-barred motion picture phenomenon that will delight “Borderlands” current legions of fans and captivate moviegoers around the world.”
Regarding their involvement in the project, Avi and Ari expressed that they’re “thrilled to extend their partnership with Jon Feltheimer, Michael Burns, Rob, Patrick and the amazing team at Lionsgate”.
They are also excited to join forces with the Take-Two and Gearbox on this incredible property:
Borderlands has a unique story-driven narrative energy and rich multidimensional characters that position it to become a singular motion picture event.
There is, of course, no timeline for the film yet as development is still at its infancy stage. However, who do you think should join the cast? What do you think it will centre on? Sound off your thoughts in the comments section below.
Source: Coming Soon.
