Later this week, the Borderlands movie will bring the long-running video game franchise to the big screen. Jack Black is co-starring in the film as the voice of the fan-favorite robot, Claptrap. That’s a role that Borderlands creator Randy Pitchford has wanted Black to play since 2012. And because it’s a voiceover only role, Black was able to record all of his lines for the movie before a single frame of footage was shot.
“I have to admit, I never went to the set,” said Black during a recent appearance on Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend. “I did my whole role in a recording studio before they started filming [and] I had a great time doing that.”
However, Black’s absence from the set didn’t go unnoticed by his co-stars. And one of Black’s cast mates called him out on it.
“I got a DM from Jamie Lee Curtis,” recalled Black. And she said, “Where the f*** are you? We’re all here knee deep in the hellish shit, and I find out you are… wherever you are doing your recordings.’ I said, ‘I love you, and I am there in spirit, and I will see you on the red carpet.'”
Black noted that he had played the Borderlands video game two decades ago, even though he couldn’t recall many details about the movie. Regardless, he had a firmer grasp on Claptrap’s character.
“He’s a helper robot that’s kind of like the R2D2 comic relief of the movie, but he’s also got a bitter undertaste,” explained Black. “He hates this mission, he hates this world, and he secretly hopes that everyone on this team dies. But he’s programed to help, so he’s helping under protest.”
Borderlands will hit theaters on Friday, August 9.
