Borderlands is a 2024 science fiction action movie based on the popular video game series by Gearbox Software. Directed and co-written by Eli Roth, the film features Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis, and others. The story follows Lilith, a notorious bounty hunter who is reluctantly pulled back to her troubled home planet, Pandora. Her mission is to find and rescue the missing daughter of Atlas, a powerful figure. To complete her mission, Lilith assembles a team of unique characters: a scientist named Tannis, a young demolitionist named Tiny Tina, Tina’s protector Krieg, a skilled mercenary named Roland, and a smart robot named Claptrap. This unlikely group faces dangers from aliens and bandits as they uncover Pandora’s darkest secrets.
The movie is set on the fictional planet Pandora, but all the filming took place in Hungary, mainly in and around Budapest. Here’s a detailed look at where and how the movie was made:
Where was “Borderlands” Filmed?
Filming for Borderlands took place entirely in Hungary, mainly around the Budapest metropolitan area. Principal photography for the film, starring Cate Blanchett, began in early April 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and concluded in June 2021 after less than three months. In early 2023, the cast and crew returned for two weeks of reshoots directed by Tim Miller, as Eli Roth was occupied with his film Thanksgiving.
Budapest Metropolitan Area, Hungary.
Borderlands was almost entirely filmed in the Budapest metropolitan region. This encompasses the city of Budapest and the surrounding suburbs. The primary filming location was the Stern Film Studio in Pomáz, a town near Budapest. The studio includes four sound stages, production offices, dressing rooms, storage areas, and catering facilities, making it a great location for filming.
The filmmakers used the studio to build various sets that depict the mythical world of Pandora. It’s probable that some of the movie’s establishing or aerial shots use altered photos of Budapest’s cityscape. This contains well-known monuments such as the Hungarian Parliament Building, Buda Castle, and Liberty Bridge. The Budapest metropolitan area has also hosted various films and shows, including Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire, Knights of the Zodiac, The Golden Compass, The Witcher, and Moon Knight.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights
During the filming, the cast members had some interesting experiences. They worked with game developers, including Randy Pitchford, to make sure the movie matched the look of the video game. Janina Gavankar, who plays Commander Knoxx, said, “Having Randy around was helpful to make sure everything looked right. We wanted to get the details correct for the fans.”
Benjamin Byron Davis, who plays Marcus, agreed, saying that when Randy said something was right, they trusted his opinion. This attention to detail meant that fans of the game would recognize many familiar elements in the movie. Filming took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, just after vaccines were available and before new variants emerged. The cast and crew followed strict safety guidelines. Bobby Lee, who plays Larry, described the experience as “a miracle” after being isolated for so long. He mentioned how unusual it felt to be back working on a film after being at home for years. Overall, Borderlands was a challenging yet exciting project, filmed in a controlled environment that helped bring the fictional world of Pandora to life.
Borderlands was filmed primarily in Hungary, specifically in Budapest and its surrounding areas. The use of Stern Film Studio and various locations around the city helped create the vivid world of Pandora. The behind-the-scenes stories from the cast show how filming during the pandemic was both challenging and rewarding.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Borderlands
Q: Where was Borderlands filmed?
A: Borderlands was filmed primarily in the Budapest metropolitan area in Hungary. The production team used the Stern Film Studio in Pomáz, which provided various sound stages and facilities to recreate the fictional world of Pandora. Additionally, different parts of Budapest were used to capture the city’s diverse scenery, which was adapted to fit the film’s setting.
Q: When was Borderlands filmed?
A: Filming for Borderlands began in early April 2021 and was completed by June 2021. After the initial shoot, additional reshoots took place in early 2023 for two weeks, with Tim Miller directing these scenes as Eli Roth was working on another project.
Q: When was Borderlands released?
A: Borderlands was released on August 9, 2024. The film had its premiere in various locations, including Hong Kong and China, before being widely available to audiences.
Q: What is the plot of Borderlands?
A: Borderlands follows Lilith, a bounty hunter who returns to her home planet, Pandora, on a dangerous mission to rescue the missing daughter of a powerful figure named Atlas. To succeed, Lilith forms a team of misfits, including Roland, Tiny Tina, Krieg, Claptrap, and Dr. Patricia Tannis. Together, they face various threats from aliens and bandits while uncovering the planet’s darkest secrets.
Q: Who are the main cast members of Borderlands?
A: The main cast of Borderlands includes several well-known actors. Cate Blanchett stars as Lilith, the central character who is a tough bounty hunter. Kevin Hart plays Roland, a skilled mercenary. Jack Black voices Claptrap, a comical robot. Edgar Ramírez appears as Atlas, a powerful figure who needs help. Ariana Greenblatt is Tiny Tina, a young demolition expert. Florian Munteanu plays Krieg, Tiny Tina’s protector. Gina Gershon is Mad Moxxi, and Jamie Lee Curtis portrays Dr. Patricia Tannis, a scientist. Each actor brings a unique role to the film, helping to bring the action-packed world of Pandora to life.
