Upcoming 'Borderlands' movie has fans excited but say Eli Roth directing it wouldn't be a 'good move'
The 'Borderlands' movie, based on the massive video game franchise of the same name, has been in development under Lionsgate since 2015. There's been so little news regarding the project ever since that most fans forgot it even existed. However, on February 21, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford made it known that Eli Roth had been chosen to direct the film, with more news to come soon at PAX East.
His tweet read: "I’m very excited to welcome Eli Roth as Director of the Borderlands movie in development with Lionsgate and Arad Productions. Please welcome @EliRoth to the team and be sure to catch the @GearboxOfficial Main Theater Show at #PAXEast on 2/27 to learn more. #borderlandsmovie."
Craig Marzin, the Emmy award-winning writer of 'Chernobyl' has penned the movie's script, which will be produced by Avi and Ari Arad via Arad Productions and Erik Feig through Picturestart.
The internet has been abuzz with excitement about the upcoming film. A lot of hype, a lot of tweets all in caps and a lot of enthusiasm can be seen, though some of it is definitely tentative. Fans are possessive of the franchises they love and Roth as a director is a choice that not many of them are all that pleased about.
"I’ve given Eli Roth so many chances.....But yea it’s gonna be a no from me every time" wrote one viewer on Twitter. "IM FINE WITH A BORDERLANDS MOVIE, IM NOT OK WITH ELI ROTH AT THE HELM" declared another fan.
While there are some vehement opposers to Roth as a director, most fans seem ambivalent about the idea. "Not really sure how I feel about Borderlands becoming a movie directed by Eli Roth and written by a guy that did the show Chernobyl. Not exactly sure they fit the tone of the game, but maybe they're going for something different. We'll see what happens," wrote this fan. One viewer perfectly summed up their indifference, writing, "Eli roth movies are def not my favorite but uh who knows i guess."
One viewer bought up the fact that the 'Borderlands' franchise while being primarily a shooter, has had a very successful narrative-focused game that did not revolve around action in its gameplay: 'Tales from the Borderlands.' The choice of Roth, however, suggests that the 'Borderlands' movie will be moving away from that tone of storytelling.
"I know none of us asked for a Borderlands movie, but we also never asked for a narrative game in its universe, and Tales from the Borderlands was excellent. But Eli Roth directing makes me feel like the tone Tales is gonna be nowhere to be found, and that would turn me off."
Another fan wrote, "Eli Roth directing a Borderlands movie tells me they're leaning hard into the violence part of the world and not the comedy part of it. Not a good move IMO."
More news regarding the 'Borderlands' movie is set to be announced at Gearbox Main Theater Show at PAX East on February 27, 2:30 pm EST.