
At first glance, a movie adaptation of “Borderlands” appears to be a no-brainer. Launched by video game publisher 2K back in 2009, this game series rapidly amassed a dedicated fanbase that continued to expand over the subsequent decade. Developers Gearbox Software and 2K Australia produced four installments within the franchise during this period. The “Borderlands” series shared many characteristics with popular games from the 2010s: eccentric characters, off-color humor, a distinctive, comic-book-like aesthetic, an expansive world to explore, and, crucially, weapons that were procedurally generated (or loot), which players could use to blast aliens until they disintegrated into a mess of gore and guts. This blend of elements struck a chord with gamers, earning critical praise, selling millions of copies, and generating over $1 billion in revenue. Given these success metrics, a transition to the big screen seemed almost predestined.