The video game adaptation Borderlands, directed by Eli Roth and co-written by Craig Mazin (Last of Us, Chernobyl), has reportedly been undergoing an extended and turbulent post-production phase. Now, according to Word of Reel and confirmed on the Writers Guild of America's website, Mazin recently decided to distance himself from the project by removing his name and adopting the pseudonym Joe Crombie.
This development adds to the challenges faced during the film's production, including reported reshoots with a different director. In 2022, the film underwent reshoots with Gary Ross joining as a writer for additional rewrites. After a test screening in November, Lionsgate identified the need for further work on the film, resulting in the appointment of Tim Miller as the director for additional reshoots earlier this year.
Apart from Mazin, the writing team for Borderlands included Aaron Berg, Oren Uziel, Juel Taylor, Tony Rettenmaier, Zak Olkewicz, Chris Bremner, and Sam Levinson.
The film features Cate Blanchett in a leading role, with principal photography concluding in 2021. Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Jamie Lee Curtis also star.
The source of these persistent issues remains unclear, whether due to studio interference or difficulties in effectively adapting the material. Nevertheless, these obstacles raise concerns about the overall quality of the movie.
It's important to note that reshoots should not necessarily be seen negatively. Many successful films, including Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Rocky, Back to the Future, and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial all underwent reshoots to refine specific scenes. While delays and changes may be disheartening, they do not define the ultimate outcome of the film.
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