Cate Blanchett Goes All Guns Blazing in Eli Roth’s “Borderlands”

Cate Blanchett, renowned for her diverse roles, steps into a new frontier with her latest film, “Borderlands.” Directed by Eli Roth, this highly anticipated video game adaptation casts Blanchett as Lilith, a gun-toting space-outlaw leading a motley crew on a perilous mission to her home planet, Pandora. The role, a departure from her usual repertoire, brought immense joy to the accomplished actress.

“The gun-slinging stuff was so much fun,” Blanchett told Empire in an exclusive interview, reflecting on her experience.

Blanchett’s choice to take on such an uncharacteristic role stems from her affinity for the unconventional. “The crazy asks are usually the things I gravitate towards; the things I could never conceive of,” she explained. “I think there also may have been a little Covid madness — I was spending a lot of time in the garden, using the chainsaw a little too freely. My husband said, ‘This film could save your life.’”

To prepare for the role, Blanchett immersed herself in the “Borderlands” games. Despite her self-professed lack of gaming skills, she dove into the universe with enthusiasm. “My thumbs can barely control a phone, but I bought a PS5 and we played each other,” she said. “I wanted to know the limits of the game and what fans loved about the character. I got really absorbed in that whole world. The cosplayers. The YouTube make-up tutorials.”

Blanchett’s reunion with Roth, following their collaboration on “The House With A Clock In Its Walls,” added an exciting dynamic to the project. “The combination of the two of us, it’s mixing Elizabeth and Hostel, TÁR and Thanksgiving,” Roth enthused. “You’ve seen her twirl a baton, but wait until you see her twirl a gun.”

With Blanchett at the helm as Lilith, “Borderlands” promises to be an electrifying addition to her illustrious career, showcasing a side of the actress that fans have rarely seen. The film, which was shot in Hungary at the renown Origo Studios, is set to bring the beloved video game world to life with high-octane action and a touch of Blanchett’s unique flair. As Roth hints, this collaboration will be an overture to remember.