Lionsgate to develop a film based on the Borderlands videogame

The videogame-to-film adaptations continue to (mostly) unimpress, and also continue to be made. While we have hopes that the ASSASSIN'S CREED film starring Michael Fassbender will bring something worthwhile to the table, a new player has entered the game: Borderlands.

The story takes place on the planet of Pandora which is inhabited by bandits, mercenaries of interstellar corporations, dangerous wildlife and other abominations. The main characters are Vault Hunters who are looking to score the big payday that'll last them to the end of their days. The games excel at bringing a quirky sense of humor and stylized action to what would otherwise be considered an ultra-violent game. Avi and Ari Arad, producers on such franchises as IRON MAN, SPIDER-MAN, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, X-MEN, and BLADE, will be bringing this game to cinema screens.

Lionsgate Co-Chairmen Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger:

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.

The first-person co-operative gameplay for Borderlands is a lot of fun, but its the quasi-cel-shaded style and dark humor that really complete the package. While Lionsgate says they're not going to pull any punches, I wouldn't have a hard time seeing them try to craft something PG-13 out of this. Given all the different weapons and quips made available for the game, however, I'm hoping they decide to steer this one into 'hard R' territory.