Borderlands 4 Teased on the Coattails of Disastrous Movie Release

Gearbox CEO Hints at Borderlands 4 Development Following Movie Flop

Following the box office and critical failure of the Borderlands movie, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has again hinted at progress on Borderlands 4. This subtle confirmation of continued development comes amidst fan disappointment with the film adaptation.

Confirmation of Borderlands 4 Development

Pitchford publicly thanked fans, acknowledging their greater enthusiasm for the game franchise compared to the recent movie. He further implied that the team is actively developing the next installment, igniting anticipation amongst fans. This follows a previous statement in a GamesRadar+ interview where he alluded to several large-scale projects underway at Gearbox, including a new Borderlands title.

The development of Borderlands 4 was officially confirmed earlier this year by publisher 2K, following Take-Two Interactive's acquisition of Gearbox Entertainment. The Borderlands franchise, launched in 2009, boasts over 83 million units sold, with Borderlands 3 achieving 2K's fastest-selling title status at 19 million copies. Borderlands 2 remains the company's top seller, exceeding 28 million copies sold since 2012.

Movie's Poor Reception Spurs Development Focus

Pitchford's comments followed a significant negative response to the Borderlands movie. Despite a wide release in over 3,000 theaters, including IMAX screenings, the film grossed a mere $4 million in its opening weekend, falling far short of its $115 million budget and projected opening run of under $10 million. The film received overwhelmingly negative reviews and is considered a major summer box office disappointment, even among dedicated fans of the franchise. Critics cite a disconnect with the source material's charm and humor, suggesting an attempt to appeal to a younger demographic that ultimately missed the mark, as noted by Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews.

The underwhelming performance of the movie highlights the challenges of adapting beloved video games to the big screen. However, Gearbox remains committed to delivering a successful next installment in the Borderlands game series for its loyal fanbase.