Gearbox CEO Hints at Borderlands 4 Development Following Movie Flop
Following the box office disappointment of the 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 CEO's recent comments.
Gearbox Confirms Continued Work on Next Borderlands Installment
Over the weekend, Pitchford offered another subtle confirmation of the studio's work on the next Borderlands game, thanking fans for their continued enthusiasm for the game franchise, which he noted significantly outweighed the reception of the recent film adaptation. He also stated the team is actively developing the next entry, leaving fans wanting more information.
This follows a GamesRadar+ interview last month where Pitchford alluded to several large-scale projects in progress at Gearbox. While he stopped short of an official announcement, he suggested fans wouldn't have to wait long for news about the next Borderlands title.
Earlier this year, 2K officially confirmed Borderlands 4's development, coinciding with Take-Two Interactive's acquisition of Gearbox Entertainment. The Borderlands franchise, launched in 2009, has sold over 83 million units, with Borderlands 3 becoming 2K's fastest-selling title at 19 million copies. Borderlands 2 remains their best-selling game, boasting over 28 million units sold since 2012.
Borderlands Movie's Failure Spurs CEO's Comments
Pitchford's social media comments followed the critical and commercial failure of the Borderlands movie. Despite a wide release in over 3,000 theaters, including premium IMAX screenings, the film grossed a mere $4 million in its opening weekend and is projected to fall drastically short of its $115 million production budget.
The long-awaited film, in production for over three years, received overwhelmingly negative reviews, becoming one of the summer's biggest critical flops. Even dedicated fans expressed disappointment, leading to a poor CinemaScore. Critics cited the film as out of touch with its fanbase, lacking the humor and charm that defined the video game series. As noted by Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews, the film felt like a misguided attempt to appeal to a younger demographic, resulting in a subpar cinematic experience.
With Gearbox now focusing on its next game, the poor reception of the Borderlands movie serves as a potent reminder of the challenges inherent in adapting beloved video games to the big screen. However, the studio remains dedicated to delivering another successful title for its loyal gaming audience.
