On the heels of starring in Lionsgate’s hit murder mysteryKnives Out,Jamie Lee Curtisis in talks to join two-time Oscar winnerCate BlanchettandKevin Hartin the studio’s adaptation of the popular video gameBorderlands, Collider has exclusively learned.
Blanchett will star as the game’s legendary thief, Lilith, while Hart will co-star as its skilled soldier, Roland. As for Curtis, she’s set to play Tannis, an archeologist on Pandora who might have the key to finding the vault, but whose complicated history with Lilith isn’t going to help. In the game, Dr. Patricia Tannis was a non-player character who was integral to the main storyline ofBorderlands, and went on to provide missions inBorderlands 2. The character returned inBorderlands 3to assist the new Vault Hunters.
Eli Rothis directing the movie from a script byCraig Mazin(Chernobyl), and thoughBorderlandsis a departure for the noted horror filmmaker, he could hardly contain his excitement about working with the star of theHalloweenfranchise.
“Working with the iconic Jamie Lee Curtis has been a life long dream of mine, and I am so excited for her to bring her humor, warmth and brilliance to the role of Tannis,” Roth said in a statement.
“The kind of talent we’ve been able to bring together forBorderlandsis a testament to the incredible script that Craig wrote and Eli’s vision for Pandora," added Lionsgate’sNathan Kahane. “Jamie is unique in that her characters have depth and gravitas, but are also always hugely entertaining – she commands the screen. At this point, Jamie is like family to us after bringing so much toKnives Outand hosting last summer’s ‘Lionsgate Live’ fundraiser to help theater workers, [so] we could not be more thrilled to be working with her again.”
Avi AradandAri Aradare producingBorderlandsvia their Arad Productions banner along withErik Feigof Picturestart. Lionsgate is getting behind the project in a big way, as the video game series has sold more than 66 million units since launching in 2009. Gearbox founderRandy Pitchfordhas been with the game since the beginning and he’ll executive produce the movie withStrauss Zelnickof Take-Two Interactive. Lionsgate’sJames MyersandAaron Edmondswill the film for the studio, whileEmmy Yuwill oversee on behalf of Arad Productions, andLucy KitadaandRoyce Reeves-Darbywill oversee for Picturestart.
Curtis has been a movie star ever since she played the iconic role of Laurie Strode inJohn Carpenter’s 1978 masterpieceHalloween, which was followed by cult favorites such asProm NightandTerror Train. She went on to star in two defining comedies of the ’80s,Trading PlacesandA Fish Called Wanda, as well as hits likeTrue LiesandFreaky Friday.
The beloved actress reprised herHalloweenrole inDavid Gordon Green’s 2018 sequel, which proved wildly lucrative at the box office. The follow-up,Halloween Kills, had been slated to open last October but is nowexpected to hit theaters this coming October, whileHalloween Endsis due in October 2022. Curtis also served as an executive producer on Green’s slasher trilogy, and she has wrapped A24’s sci-fi movieEverything Everywhere All at Once, which hails from the directors ofSwiss Army Man.
Curtis is represented by CAA and attorney Alan Wertheimer.
