Borderlands 4 Teased on the Coattails of Disastrous Movie Release

Gearbox CEO Hints at Borderlands 4 Development After Movie Flop

Following the box office and critical failure of the Borderlands movie, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford offered another subtle confirmation of Borderlands 4's development. Read on to learn more about the game's progress and the CEO's recent comments.

Gearbox CEO Acknowledges Borderlands 4 Progress

Work Continues on the Next Borderlands Installment

On Sunday, Pitchford publicly thanked fans, highlighting their greater enthusiasm for the game franchise compared to the recent film adaptation. He further implied that development on the next Borderlands game is actively underway, sparking excitement among fans.

This recent comment follows a previous GamesRadar+ interview last month where Pitchford alluded to several significant projects in development at Gearbox. While avoiding a formal announcement, he suggested an imminent update regarding the next Borderlands title.

Earlier this year, publisher 2K officially confirmed Borderlands 4's development, shortly after Take-Two Interactive's acquisition of Gearbox Entertainment. The Borderlands series, launched in 2009, boasts over 83 million units sold, with Borderlands 3 achieving 2K's fastest-selling title record at 19 million copies. Borderlands 2 remains the company's top-selling game, having sold over 28 million units since its 2012 release.

Movie's Poor Reception Prompts CEO's Comments

Pitchford's social media comments came swiftly after the Borderlands movie faced considerable criticism and underperformed at the box office. Despite a wide release in over 3,000 theaters, including premium IMAX showings, the film only grossed $4 million in its opening weekend. Projections suggest a total opening run far below $10 million, a stark contrast to its $115 million production budget.

The long-awaited film, in production for over three years, received overwhelmingly negative reviews and is now considered one of the summer's biggest critical disappointments. Even dedicated Borderlands fans voiced their dissatisfaction, leading to a poor CinemaScore. Critics cited a disconnect with the fanbase, lacking the charm and humor of the games. Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews noted the film's misguided attempt to appeal to a younger demographic, resulting in a subpar final product.

As Gearbox prepares for its next game release, the Borderlands movie's poor reception serves as a cautionary tale about adapting beloved video game franchises to the big screen. However, the studio remains focused on delivering another successful game to its loyal fanbase.