Black Bag Release Date & New Cate Blanchett Interview

BLACK BAG directed by Steven Soderbergh and led by Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender will be released in the US on 14 March 2025. Filming wrapped in June 2024.

A new magazine interview with Cate has been released ahead of Borderlands movie directed by Eli Roth release.

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Black Bag

Focus Features will release Steven Soderbergh’s upcoming spy drama Black Bag in theaters on March 14, 2025. Focus will release the film in the US, with Universal Pictures International handling international distribution.

From Academy Award® winning director Steven Soderbergh, Black Bag is a high-stakes mystery starring Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender alongside Regé-Jean Page, Marisa Abela, Naomie Harris, Tom Burke, and Pierce Brosnan.

It’s written by David Koepp, and produced by Casey Silver and Greg Jacobs.

Steven Soderbergh has previously shared some details about the film here.

Borderlands

Intensity is a word that Cate Blanchett is happy to embrace. While many in the elite of the entertainment world substitute passion and power on-screen for a life of luxurious leisure off it, the 55-year-old actress appears happy to push to the extremities wherever she is, debating and challenging at every point along the route. It’s not that the fiery Australian has a particular ax to grind when it comes to politics, environmentalism, sustainability, equality, feminism or activism; she can just see a better place on the horizon. “If I didn’t use my voice to try to make change or encourage others to, I think that would be really disingenuous,” she says. “I hate that whole thing of famous people on their soapboxes, it’s not that; I just feel, sometimes as a society, we are so much better than we make out.”

For the two-time Oscar winner (for Best Supporting Actress in The Aviator and Best Actress in Blue Jasmine), a busy year has just welcomed in the dark comedy Rumours. It’s the story of a small town’s secrets unraveling after a mysterious event leads to absurd and chaotic consequences. Then, in August, there’s Borderlands, the sci-fi action comedy loosely based on the video game series of the same name. It follows the story of a group of vault hunters who travel to the distant planet of Pandora to find a vault rumoured to contain advanced alien technology and riches, facing off against various enemies along the way. On the horizon, and slated for a 2025 release, is Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, the comedy-drama anthology directed by Jim Jarmusch, in which Blanchett stars as Emily, a therapist navigating complex family dynamics. Then there’s Steven Soderbergh’s spy thriller, Black Bag, a gripping espionage tale that centers on a covert operative uncovering a global conspiracy.

What drew you to Borderlands?
CB: Lilith is such a fascinating character with a rich backstory. I was captivated by her complexity and her journey- an infamous outlaw with a mysterious past, which makes her both formidable and vulnerable. The combination of her extraordinary powers as a Siren and her personal struggles made her a character I couldn’t resist exploring.

While other video game adaptations rely on broad appeal, Borderlands’ mature content requires exceptional delivery from its star-studded cast. So, how did you prepare for the role, especially considering its unique setting and tone?
CB: Preparing for Lilith involved immersing myself in the world of Borderlands. I played the games and read up on the folklore to understand the universe and her place in it. Physically, I trained to match her strength and agility. I also took some time to appreciate the tone of Borderlands, and the fact this also feels so unique and so special. Ultimately, it’s dark, yet filled with humor and heart. Balancing those elements in my portrayal of her was key. What’s the dynamic like between Lilith and the other characters in the film? Her relationships with the other characters are central to the story. She forms an unlikely alliance with a diverse group, each bringing their own strengths and quirks. Her bond with Roland [played by Kevin Hart], for instance, is defined by mutual respect and a shared quest for redemption. The interplay with Tiny Tina [Ariana Greenblatt), Krieg (Florian Munteanu), Tannis [Jamie Lee Curtis] and Claptrap Jack Black) adds layers of humor and unpre-dictability. These dynamics make the journey compelling and highlight the importance of teamwork.

Is Borderlands the sort of film that further pushes your reputation as a pioneer?
CB: If I’m being truthful. I’m so sick of hearing, ‘You’re a strong woman, you are an inspiration in this or that.’ What exactly is the definition of that? What makes a woman strong, other than being able to lift a couple kilos? It’s a very glib, overused expression and I don’t really like it. I think, at the heart of it, is the fact that art can sometimes be a real distortion to real life, and that’s something we want, it’s an escape. And if I’m a pioneer in that world, then fair enough, I’m happy to assume that position. So I will take it, although it does make me feel uncomfortable.

Creatively you’re still as fresh as ever, wouldn’t you say?
CB: For me, it has always been the case that I need to keep changing, keep evolving and moving through a set of different gears. My fear of getting stuck doing something I don’t like, for a long time, is real. And of course I’m lucky enough to be able to do that— it’s still the case in many industries, job, cities, towns and villages that your gender, your sexual persuasion, your color, your race is the first thing that walks through the door. I would love to get to a point where that isn’t what people see and feel, but I feel it’s some way off. Perhaps it would help if we didn’t all feel we were in direct competition with each other. Take the sexism debate: I don’t believe equality for women means to denigrate from men in any way. I feel men benefit from it enormously. There’s also a brand of conservatism that is affecting the way women perceive who they are in the world. It’s going to continue being a challenge going forward, but progress has been made — some progress.

You say you have warmed to social media in a way you perhaps didn’t expect.
CB: We’ve definitely got a better chance now to do something important than we did before, and that’s via social media. These networks can be very useful on occasion — they drive campaigns, build impact, scoop up awareness and connect amazing people. I just wish there was a way of cleansing what’s on there. It’s the reason I stay away from Twitter and Facebook. I compare it to graffiti — you might read one or two things that are interesting but most of the stuff out there isn’t very useful. That’s the challenge we have as people speaking up for environmental and social change- it’s easy to become bored by what’s being said, and we have to keep the message entertaining and engaging.

Your family unit is very secure and gives you the freedom to explore whatever projects you please, right?
CB: Yes. Personally, I’m very grateful to have a husband who is so generous and willing to help me with the children when I’m working. It’s much easier to manage a career when you know your partner is always there to support you and help you with the logistics. In truth, as far as career goes, I have a hard time staying still for very long. Even when I’ve made big statements about taking time off and looking forward to doing nothing, I find I get bored very, very quickly. The appeal of a quiet life is wonderful up to the point where it’s all quiet, all around you, and then it’s terrifying.

Do you feel that you’ve been able to achieve that so-called balance between work and family life that many women worry about?
CB: It’s very hard for anyone to say that they have it all. As I said, I’m fortunate to have a husband who shares the responsibility of caring for the children with me — something I’ve always said in response to questions about how I can still work and be a good mother. Every mom finds her own way of managing things. We’re all different and unique. We’re all trying to find enough time to do all the things we want to accomplish and spend as much time as possible with our children and families.

You’ve achieved so much — what still drives you as a performer?
CB: To get into your character, you need to embrace their heart and feel the rhythm of their life. Then it takes a little bit of magic to make that character seem real and authentic. A lot of what goes into the character also involves the hair, the makeup and the clothes you’re going to wear. When you’re trying to get into the skin of another person, you also need to adopt the body language that’s appropriate to that person. It’s like learning a foreign language, and what is vital for me is finding the right tone of voice that captures the psychology of the character.

Many aspiring actors undoubtedly look to you for inspiration. Which actors helped inspire you as you made your way in the film business?
CB: Gena Rowlands is someone who has had a big influence on me. I loved her work in the films she did with her husband, John Cassavetes, especially A Woman Under the Influence. I saw her as kind of a model for the kind of career I wanted to have. I also thought she was incredible in Gloria [also directed by Cassavetes] and her way of creating a character really made a deep impression on me. I learned so much from watching and studying her work.

Finally, aging has never seemed to be something that particularly troubles or worries you.
CB: I just accept it. Getting older happens to all of us and there are many advantages that come with age. I feel much more comfortable in my skin today than I ever have before. I am much more confident and secure in who I am than when I was in my 20s- -I would never want to go through those years again. I enjoyed my 30s a great deal and not my 40s! Now, in my 50s, I feel my life has become better again, because the pressure is off. I would rather approach getting older with a lot of curiosity and a sense of adven-ture. Even though you might like to fight it, there’s not much point.

Full interview on the scans below.