As expected from the first cinema trip to Pandora, the Borderlands film is full of references, Easter eggs and allusions to Gearbox’s cult looter shooter series.
From background details you almost missed to love letters to Borderlands’ past, we’re here to uncover the biggest Easter eggs from the adaptation starring Cate Blanchett, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Jamie Lee Curtis.
Are you ready? Then go ahead and check out our roundup of the biggest and best Borderlands Easter eggs. For more, check out our analysis of the Borderlands ending and whether there is a Borderlands post-credits scene.
Spoilers for the Borderlands movie follow. You have been warned!
Borderlands Easter Eggs
Borderlands characters
A few familiar faces appear throughout the Borderlands movie. Of course, all of the main characters from the series are there (including Lilith, Roland, Tannis, and Tiny Tina). But let’s dig a little deeper.
One of the most obvious cameos is Marcusthe ammunition dealer who can be found in virtually every Borderlands title. In the movie, he takes Lilith to Fyrestone and later appears outside Marcus’ Ammunition in the sanctuary.
Ellie And Scootersboth allies from the Borderlands titles, appear during the closing festivities on Sanctuary, although we catch a glimpse of a scooter truck earlier in the film as the gang leaves town.
Following the gang of outsiders is Knoxxa commander of the Crimson Lance, played by Janina Gavankar (herself a successful actress in several major video game franchises, including Star Wars Battlefront and God of War). However, the game version is slightly different: General Knoxx was the antagonist of the Borderlands DLC pack “The Secret Armory of General Knoxx”.
Although it wasn’t exactly an Easter Egg, but a fully fleshed out character, it was still nice to see Moxxi Appear on Sanctuary during events.
Mini-Psychos are also present in Lilith’s hunt for the second safe key, while in Borderlands an even bigger problem arises, as the black-helmeted Crom appears alongside Atlas. The character looked significantly different in the film. In the games, he is the prison warden and one of the first bosses players encounter in the original Borderlands.
In a moment on Sanctuary where it is hard to miss, there is a wanted poster for Mick Zafordthe bowler hat-wearing leader of the Zaford clan from Borderlands 2.
And yes, we count Tiny Tina’s rabbits Squishy cuddle bites (here called Bob) as an Easter Egg.
Borderlands Locations
Some of Pandora’s most beautiful (and not so beautiful) locations were explored in the film Borderlands.
But first a surprise trip to Prometheus is where we first find Cate Blanchett’s Lilith. The neo-futuristic city is home to all kinds of villainy. It is also a major location in Borderlands 3. While there, Lilith mentions that she is bringing in a bounty from a heist that sounded like Lectra City. The location was found in Borderlands 3.
Once on Pandora, the film rushes through a handful of iconic locations. There are Flint and the first lead to finding Tina. Fittingly, it is also the first named location players will encounter in the Borderlands series.
From there, Lilith then finds Tannis in refugea sprawling location that can be seen in Borderlands 2. There are also Moxxi’s Bar. The mission to find three safe keys then leads the team to Corrosive Cavesa mining operation owned by Dahl that serves the same function in Borderlands 2.
Borderlands Weapons and Enemies
Of course, it wouldn’t be Borderlands if there weren’t some bangs. In that respect, the film really packs a punch (and has more than enough explosions).
Lilith’s preferred weapon is a Vladof Infinity Pistol. Good luck finding it in-game: it’s only available as a legendary drop in a handful of locations.
Tiny Tina, as expected, has her own litany of deadly weapons. There is the Badonkadonkthat Tina lets players collect in the Borderlands 2 mission “A Train to Catch.” Ariana Greenblatt’s vulgar character also attracted a Vladof Roleplay during an early showdown with Lilith. Several weapons manufacturers are also present, including Maliwan, Hyperion, and of course Atlas.
We have already mentioned Psychos but do you have a reference to the Bloodshots And robber in Caustic Caverns? The former were infamously found in Borderlands 2’s Bloodshot Stronghold, a steep difficulty spike for players.
And what are weapons without some targets? Throughout the film there are skags, Rakks, and above all a Thresher roam the desert. Rakks are even a delicacy of choice at the Sanctuary food stand, Rakk’s Snacks.
When Claptrap meets Lilith, he tells her that there is a very high probability of being Goiter maggotShe’s lucky that Crawmerax the Invincible never showed up.
Other Borderlands game references
Of course, there are plenty of references to the Borderlands games. Maybe you have heard about the return of Claptrap’s greatest enemy: Stairs.
Other elements taken directly from the games are the Borderlands Money Audio Note when Lilith puts a bounty on Promethea; the ECHONet Service; and a Outrunner vehicle.
Speaking of vehicles: Lilith says she has to “ride” on Pandora, and lo and behold, Marcus and his bus appear. This is a cheeky allusion to the practical Ride along Service that allows you to spawn any vehicle you own at specific locations.
Krieg’s quick, brutal one-liners are undoubtedly an allusion to Psycho one-linerswhile the hordes of low-level enemies taunt you in several Borderlands games. Our favorite? War will apparently “lick your spine.” Charming.
There is also a welcome sight for every tired Vault Hunter: a Weapon machine. Jack Black’s Claptrap tries to flirt with it. Of course. In the games there, you can spend your hard-earned money on new weapons and upgrades.
Finally, the end of the film fulfills its promise: Eridians Structure. In both the film and the games, they are portrayed as the ancestors of the galaxy and a race equipped with advanced technology, much of which was hidden in the treasure vault on Pandora.
Similar to the games, Lilith learns Phase response (essentially a fast teleport) and discovers that she is a Firehawk and can open the safe. This name is a reference to her pseudonym in Borderlands 2, while her abilities are very similar to those in the game siren powers.
She uses these powers to defeat Atlas (his Sign is surely a nod to the games’ rechargeable shields that players can use in addition to their health) in the Vault. There, Lilith saves Tina and allows Atlas to be devoured by a mysterious creature in the Vault that we suspect is The destroyer.
For more on Borderlands, check out our chat with Ariana Greenblatt and Florian Munteanu about preparing for their roles, and an interview with Randy Pitchford about the pressure that comes with making a live-action video game adaptation.
Then dive into the new releases with our guide to upcoming video game movies.
