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 teased the development of Borderlands 4. This subtle confirmation of the project's ongoing progress comes amidst fan disappointment with the film adaptation.

Confirmation of Borderlands 4 Development

Pitchford recently expressed gratitude to fans, highlighting their greater enthusiasm for the game franchise compared to the movie. He acknowledged the team's dedicated work on the next installment, fueling anticipation for further details. This follows previous comments in a GamesRadar+ interview where he alluded to several significant projects, including the next Borderlands game, nearing announcement.

Officially confirmed earlier this year by publisher 2K following Take-Two Interactive's acquisition of Gearbox, Borderlands 4's development is hardly a surprise given the franchise's immense success. The series, launched in 2009, boasts over 83 million units sold, with Borderlands 3 holding the record as 2K's fastest-selling title (19 million copies), and Borderlands 2 remaining its best-selling game (over 28 million copies).

Movie's Poor Reception Spurs Renewed Focus on Games

Pitchford's social media comments followed the movie's disastrous opening weekend, grossing a mere $4 million despite a wide release in over 3,000 theaters, including IMAX screenings. Projected to fall far short of its $115 million budget, the film has received overwhelmingly negative reviews and is considered a major summer box office bomb. Even dedicated fans expressed disappointment, leading to a low CinemaScore. Critics cite a disconnect with the source material, lacking the humor and charm that defined the games, with some suggesting a misguided attempt to appeal to a younger demographic.

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