Borderlands 4 Teased on the Coattails of Disastrous Movie Release

Gearbox CEO Hints at Borderlands 4 After Borderlands Movie Flop

Following the box office failure 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 Borderlands 4

Progress on the Next Borderlands Installment

On Sunday, Pitchford offered another subtle confirmation of the studio's ongoing work on a new Borderlands game, thanking fans for their continued enthusiasm for the game series—an enthusiasm he contrasted with the movie's poor reception. He indicated that the team is actively developing the next installment, sparking excitement amongst fans.

This latest hint follows a previous comment from Pitchford in a recent GamesRadar+ interview, where he alluded to several major projects in development at Gearbox. While avoiding a formal announcement, he suggested that news about the next Borderlands game wouldn't be far off.

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, boasts over 83 million units sold, with Borderlands 3 becoming 2K's fastest-selling title (19 million copies). Borderlands 2 remains their best-selling game, exceeding 28 million copies sold since 2012.

Movie's Poor Performance Spurs CEO's Comments

Pitchford's social media comments came on the heels of significant criticism aimed at the Borderlands movie, both from critics and at the box office. Despite a wide release in over 3,000 theaters, including IMAX screenings, the film grossed a mere $4 million in its opening weekend. Projected to fall drastically short of $10 million, this is a significant shortfall considering its $115 million production budget.

The long-awaited film, in production for over three years, received overwhelmingly negative reviews and is considered one of the summer's biggest critical disappointments. Even dedicated Borderlands fans expressed dissatisfaction, leading to a poor CinemaScore rating. Critics cited the film's disconnect with its source material, lacking the charm and humor that defined the games. Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews suggested the film misjudged its target audience, leading to a disappointing final product.

As Gearbox focuses on its next game, the movie's failure serves as a cautionary tale regarding video game adaptations. Nevertheless, the studio remains committed to delivering a successful game for its loyal fanbase.