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 progress comes amidst fan disappointment with the film adaptation.
Confirmation of Borderlands 4's Development
Pitchford recently expressed gratitude to fans, highlighting their enduring passion for the Borderlands games, a passion that evidently outweighed their enthusiasm for the recent movie. He alluded to the team's dedicated work on the next installment, leaving fans eagerly anticipating further details. This follows a previous statement in a GamesRadar+ interview where Pitchford hinted at several significant projects underway at Gearbox, suggesting an imminent announcement regarding the next Borderlands game.
The development of Borderlands 4 was officially confirmed earlier this year by 2K, coinciding with Take-Two Interactive's acquisition of Gearbox Entertainment. The Borderlands franchise, boasting over 83 million units sold since its 2009 debut, has proven incredibly successful, with Borderlands 3 becoming 2K's fastest-selling title (19 million copies) and Borderlands 2 remaining its best-selling game (over 28 million copies).
The Borderlands Movie's Impact
Pitchford's comments arrived shortly after the Borderlands movie faced widespread criticism and underperformed at the box office. Despite a wide release in over 3,000 theaters, including IMAX screenings, the film's opening weekend gross was a mere $4 million, far below expectations and projections. With a $115 million production budget, the film's projected opening run is expected to fall significantly short of $10 million, marking a considerable financial setback.
The movie, plagued by delays and ultimately released after more than three years in production, received overwhelmingly negative reviews, becoming one of the summer's biggest critical failures. Even dedicated fans expressed disappointment, leading to a poor CinemaScore. Critics cited a disconnect with the source material, lacking the charm and humor that defined the games. Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews highlighted the film's misguided attempt to appeal to a younger demographic, resulting in a subpar final product.
The underwhelming performance of the Borderlands movie serves as a cautionary tale for video game adaptations. However, Gearbox remains focused on delivering a successful Borderlands 4 to its loyal fanbase.
