Gearbox CEO Hints at Borderlands 4 Following Disastrous Movie Debut
Following the box office bomb that was the Borderlands movie, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has again teased the development of Borderlands 4. This subtle confirmation of the studio's ongoing work on the franchise comes after Pitchford publicly acknowledged fan enthusiasm for the games, contrasting sharply with the movie's poor reception. He emphasized the team's dedication to the next installment, leaving fans eagerly awaiting further details.
This recent tease builds on Pitchford's previous comments in a GamesRadar+ interview where he alluded to several significant projects underway at Gearbox. While avoiding a formal announcement, he suggested that news on the next Borderlands game wouldn't be far off.
The development of Borderlands 4 received official confirmation earlier this year from publisher 2K, coinciding with Take-Two Interactive's acquisition of Gearbox Entertainment. The Borderlands franchise, launched in 2009, boasts over 83 million units sold, with Borderlands 3 achieving the status of 2K's fastest-selling title at 19 million copies. Borderlands 2 remains the company's top seller, exceeding 28 million copies since its 2012 release.
The underwhelming performance of the Borderlands movie significantly fueled Pitchford's comments. The film, despite a wide release across over 3,000 theaters, including IMAX, grossed a mere $4 million in its opening weekend. Projected to fall drastically short of $10 million against a $115 million budget, it's considered a major critical and commercial failure. The film faced harsh reviews, disappointing even dedicated fans of the game series and resulting in a low CinemaScore. Critics widely panned the film, citing a disconnect with the franchise's established charm and humor, suggesting a misguided attempt to appeal to a younger demographic.
The movie's poor reception serves as a stark reminder of the difficulties inherent in adapting beloved video games to the big screen. However, Gearbox remains committed to delivering a successful new entry in the Borderlands game series for its loyal fanbase.
