After years of building his reputation as one of Hollywood’s most bankable comedy stars, Kevin Hart may be looking to reinvent himself as an action hero. According to The Wrap, Kevin Hart has joined the cast of Lionsgate’s upcoming Borderlands movie, based on Gearbox Software’s hit video game series. Hart will have a major role in the adaptation as Roland, a playable character from the first game.
In the Borderlands universe, Roland is a soldier from the planet Promethea. He was once a member of Crimson Lance, the private military force employed by the arms-dealing Atlas Corporation. Roland is also a highly-skilled marksman, particularly with shotguns and rifles. He also appeared in Borderlands 2 in 2012, but not as a playable character.
Gearbox premiered the first Borderlands game in 2009. Set primarily on Pandora, the game followed four “Vault Hunters” as they searched for a vault containing advanced alien technology. The series’ most recent entry, Borderlands 3, hit stores in 2019.
Hart’s involvement with the film was rumored as early as last month, with The Illuminerdi breaking the news of his casting. The film’s director, Eli Roth, also confirmed the news with his own statement.
RELATED: Superhero Hype’s Best Amazon Game Deals for Jan 11
“I’m thrilled to be working with Kevin,” said Roth. “Borderlands is a different kind of role for him, and we are excited to thrill audiences with a side of Kevin they’ve never seen before. He’s going to be an amazing Roland.”
Last year, Hart executive produced and starred in the Quibi series Die Hart. He also capped off 2020 by releasing his latest standup special, Zero F***s Given, on Netflix. Some of Hart’s more recent film work includes Jumanji: The Next Level, The Upside, and Night School.
Borderlands’ cast also includes Cate Blanchett, who will play the magical siren known as Lilith. Lionsgate still hasn’t set a release date for the film
How do you feel about Hart playing Roland in Borderlands? Give us your impressions in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: The Art of Borderlands 3
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate advertising program also provides a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
