Gearbox CEO Hints at Borderlands 4 Development Following Movie Flop

Following the critical and commercial failure of the Borderlands movie, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has again teased the development of Borderlands 4. This subtle confirmation of the project comes amidst fan disappointment with the film and underscores the studio's commitment to the video game franchise.

Confirmation of Borderlands 4 Progress

Pitchford recently expressed his gratitude to fans, highlighting their unwavering enthusiasm for the Borderlands games, which far outweighed the reception of the recent movie adaptation. He further implied that progress on the next installment is well underway, sparking excitement among fans anticipating further details. This latest comment follows a previous hint dropped last month in a GamesRadar+ interview where Pitchford alluded to several large-scale projects in development at Gearbox.

The development of Borderlands 4 was officially confirmed earlier this year by 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 2K's fastest-selling title status at 19 million copies. Borderlands 2 remains the company's best-selling title, having sold over 28 million copies since 2012.

Borderlands Movie's Failure Underscores Focus on Gaming

Pitchford's social media comments arrived shortly after the disappointing box office and critical response to the Borderlands movie. Despite a wide release in over 3,000 theaters, the film's opening weekend gross of only $4 million was far below expectations. Even Imax screenings failed to improve its performance, and projections suggest a total opening run significantly less than $10 million against a $115 million production budget.

The film, delayed for several years, received scathing reviews and is now considered one of the summer's biggest critical disappointments. Disappointment extended to even loyal Borderlands fans, reflected in a poor CinemaScore. Critics cited a disconnect with the fanbase, criticizing a lack of the charm and humor that defined the games. Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews highlighted the film's misguided attempt to appeal to a younger demographic, ultimately resulting in a subpar product.

The underwhelming performance of the Borderlands movie serves as a cautionary tale for video game adaptations. However, Gearbox remains focused on delivering a successful next installment to its dedicated gaming community.