Gearbox Software has revealed an update on theBorderlandsmovie as well as announcing plans to make aDuke Nukemmovie. Alright here we go, another video game adaptation (or two) coming our way hoping to break the mold and make the ultimate video game movie that isn’t complete and utter trash. There have been a few that have tried to ditched the trash reputation, which was namely started by the first fewResident Evilmovies andSuper Mario Bros., which was actually considered worse than trash. I guessMortal Kombatcould make that list and if that’s the case, we have to throwThe Wizardin there too.
Borderlandswas announced over a year ago, but news has been relatively quiet since the initial announcement and many have wondered if the movie was going to happen at all.Gearbox SoftwareCEO Randy Pitchford spoke toGeoff Keighley via YouTube Live at E3where he provided an update on theBorderlandsadaptation. Pitchford explains.
“We’ve been developing scripts and the strategy that we’re on right now is, that it’s obviously in the Borderlands universe, but rather than retell the stories that were in the game, we' create new stories so that the films will have their own film canon.”
Pitchford went on to compare the new project to theMarvel Cinematic Universe. He says this.
“We’ll use all the characters and scenarios, it’s similar to what Marvel is doing. you’re able to read any particular film plot in a comic book, but there’s a lot of characters, themes, and in fact, some of the situations are represented.”
In addition to theBorderlandsmovie, Pitchford also announced that Gearbox Software is getting close to a deal with amajor Hollywood studioto produce aDuke Nukembig screen adaptation. And apparently he was not kidding. Though he was secretive about any concrete information, Pitchford shared his excitement about the project. He explains.
“We’re working onDuke Nukem! I can’t announce it, but it’s blown my mind, there’s been a lot of production companies have come at us. We’re putting together a deal right now with a major motion picture studio; I’ll tell you off the record if you want to know. It’s the exact right people that should be doing aDuke Nukemfilm and we’ll see what happens. It’s unbelievable, I think that’s very likely a thing.”
While everything sounds “exciting!” and “unbelievable!” we’ll take this info with a grain of salt. Hollywood has been trying for a number of years to get aDuke Nukemmovie adaptation off of the ground. Pitchford is very enthusiastic, but nothing official has been announced regarding the movie. The development forDuke Nukemstarted back in the 90s and was apparently about to start production in 2009 when Gearbox Software took over the video game franchise, which put a permanent stall to the project.
In addition toDuke NukemandBorderlands, there are plenty ofvideo game moviesin various forms of development at the moment. It was recently announced thatResident Evilwill be getting the reboot treatment as willTomb Raider. Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson is currently filming a big screen adaptation to the populararcade game RampageandKong Skull Islanddirector Jordan Vogt-Roberts is currently prepping work on his love letter to theMetal Gear Solidfranchise. I’m still holding out for a Zelda series or full-length movie, c’mon, make that happen.
It’s going to be a while longer before aBorderlandsmovie happens and even longer before theDuke Nukemmovie hits the screens, but until then fans can look forward to seeing Duke Nukem make a small cameo in Steven Spielberg’s upcomingReady Player Onemovie, which is set to hit theaters on March 30th, 2018. I guess if you’re super impatient, you can start writing scripts for these adaptations and sending them to Gearbox to help push the projects along.
