Borderlands 4: Rumors Reignite Amid Movie Fallout

Gearbox CEO Hints at Borderlands 4 Development Following Movie Flop

Following the disappointing box office performance of the Borderlands movie, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has offered another subtle confirmation of the studio's work on Borderlands 4. Read on for details on the game's development and the CEO's recent comments.

Gearbox Confirms Continued Work on Next Borderlands Installment

Borderlands 4 Development Underway

On Sunday, Pitchford again alluded to progress on a new Borderlands game, indirectly acknowledging the project's ongoing development. He thanked fans for their unwavering support of the game franchise, noting their enthusiasm far outweighed the reception of the recent film adaptation. He added that the team is actively developing the next installment, fueling anticipation among fans.

This latest hint follows a previous comment from Pitchford in a GamesRadar+ interview last month, where he mentioned Gearbox's multiple large-scale projects. While not offering an official announcement, he suggested that news on the next Borderlands game is imminent.

Earlier this year, 2K officially confirmed Borderlands 4's development, concurrent with Take-Two Interactive's acquisition of Gearbox Entertainment. The Borderlands series, 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 significant negative reaction to the Borderlands film, both critically and commercially. Despite a wide release in over 3,000 theaters, the movie's opening weekend grossed a mere $4 million. Even premium formats like IMAX failed to improve its disappointing performance. Projected to fall far short of $10 million in its initial run, this is concerning considering its hefty $115 million budget.

The long-delayed film, in production for over three years, has received scathing reviews and is considered a major summer box office failure. Disappointment extends even to dedicated Borderlands fans, reflected in a poor CinemaScore rating. Critics cite a disconnect with the fanbase, criticizing the film's lack of the charm and humor that defined the games' success. Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews suggests the film misjudged its target audience, leading to a subpar final product.

As Gearbox prepares for its next game release, the underwhelming film adaptation serves as a cautionary tale of the challenges in translating beloved video games to the big screen. However, the studio remains focused on delivering a successful game to its loyal fanbase.