Gearbox CEO Hints at Borderlands 4 Development Following Movie Flop
Following the box office and critical failure of the recent Borderlands movie, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has again teased the development of Borderlands 4. Read on for details on the game's progress and the context behind Pitchford's comments.
Confirmation of Borderlands 4 Development
On Sunday, Pitchford subtly confirmed ongoing work on the next Borderlands installment, thanking fans for their continued enthusiasm for the game franchise, which he noted significantly outweighed the reception of the movie. He indicated the team is actively developing the next game, leaving fans anticipating further announcements.
This follows a previous GamesRadar+ interview last month where Pitchford alluded to several large-scale projects in development at Gearbox, hinting at an imminent reveal regarding the next Borderlands title.
Earlier this year, 2K officially confirmed Borderlands 4's development 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 19 million sales, making it 2K's fastest-selling title. Borderlands 2 remains their best-selling game, exceeding 28 million copies sold since 2012.
Movie's Poor Reception Spurs CEO's Comments
Pitchford's social media comments followed the movie's disastrous opening weekend, grossing only $4 million despite a wide release in over 3,000 theaters, including IMAX screenings. Projected to fall far short of $10 million against an $115 million budget, the film is considered a major critical and commercial failure. Even dedicated fans expressed disappointment, leading to a low CinemaScore. Critics cited a disconnect with the source material, lacking the charm and humor that define the games. Loud and Clear Reviews' Edgar Ortega highlighted the film's misguided attempt to appeal to a younger demographic, resulting in a subpar product.
The underwhelming performance of the Borderlands movie serves as a stark reminder of the challenges inherent in adapting beloved video games to the big screen. However, Gearbox remains focused on delivering a successful next installment for its gaming audience.
