Summary
2024’s live-actionBorderlandsmovie was supposed to have a cameo from Penn Jillette, who appeared inBorderlands 3, but his role was ultimately cut from the movie. TheBorderlandscastis headlined by established and rising Hollywood stars to play the characters who gamers already are very familiar with from the video game franchise. As exciting as it might be to have Cate Blanchett play Lilith, Kevin Hart play Roland, Jack Black voice Claptrap, Jamie Lee Curtis play Dr. Tannis, or Arianna Greenblatt play Tiny Tina, none of them were associated with the IP in its original form.
That is why the revelation thatBorderlandswould have a cameo from Penn Jillette became a welcomed surprise. Jillette might be best known for his magician career, but he actually played a small role inBorderlands 3. He provided the voice for Pain, a new character introduced as a member of The Children of The Vault. Althoughit was not expected for Penn Jillette’sBorderlandscameo to see him reprise his role as Pain, he marked the only known actor in the movie who also worked on the video games, making his return a greatBorderlandsEaster egg.
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Penn Jillette’s Borderlands Cameo Isn’t In The Final Cut Of The Movie
His Scenes Are Missing
Ahead ofBorderlands' release, Penn Jillette directly confirmed his involvement in the movie and provided a detailed look at the cameo he filmed. On an episode of his podcastPenn’s Sunday School, he explained that he filmed a few scenes, almost all of which were with Kevin Hart’s Roland.Penn played a preacher at a weddingthat is interrupted by a big fight. It all culminates in Penn’s preacher character and Roland ending up in a"space paddywagon"together.
With a very clear explanation of where anyonewatchingBorderlandswould be able to see Jillette’s cameo, it is obvious that these scenes were cut from the movie. There is no sequence involving a wedding that is interrupted by a fight with Roland. However this scene was originally meant to appear in the movie beforeBorderlands' ending, something changed, andall the scenes Penn Jillette filmed were left on the cutting room floor.
Penn Jillette’s Cut Borderlands Cameo Highlight’s The Movie’s Troubled Production
The Movie Went Through Many Changes
The reason why Penn Jillette’sBorderlandscameo was cut likely goes back to the turbulent production of the video game adaptation. The film was repeatedly delayed and had Tim Miller tackle reshoots instead of Eli Roth. It is quite clear while watchingBorderlandsthatthe movie evolved and changed multiple times. The fact that they cut an entire fight sequence with Roland that also included what could have been a fun Easter egg is telling.
Since it is unclear exactly how much ofBorderlandswas changed or reshot during production,there is no way to know with absolute certainty where Penn Jillette’s cameo was originally meant to be included. One possible explanation is that it could have come during the time Roland is separated from the main group after fighting the Crimson Lance and Psychos. If that is the case, the film ultimately decided to scrap the entire sequence, potentially to help with pacing. Hopefully a behind-the-scenes look at Penn Jillette’sBorderlandscameo will surface at some point.
