'Borderlands 4' Rumors Surface Following Film Flop

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 again hinted at progress on Borderlands 4, subtly confirming continued development. Read on for details on the game's development and the CEO's comments.

Gearbox Confirms Continued Work on Next Borderlands Installment

Borderlands 4 Development Update

On Sunday, Pitchford offered another subtle confirmation of a new Borderlands game in development, thanking fans for their continued enthusiasm for the game franchise, which he noted significantly outweighed the reception of the recent film adaptation. He stated the team is hard at work on the next installment, leaving fans eager for more information.

This recent hint follows Pitchford's comments last month in a GamesRadar+ interview, where he alluded to several large-scale projects underway at Gearbox. While avoiding an official announcement, he suggested that news regarding the next Borderlands title is imminent.

Earlier this year, publisher 2K officially confirmed Borderlands 4's development, coinciding 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 the distinction of being 2K's fastest-selling title at 19 million copies. Borderlands 2 remains the company's best-selling game, exceeding 28 million copies sold since 2012.

Movie's Poor Reception Prompts CEO's Comments

Pitchford's social media comments followed a significant backlash against the Borderlands movie, both critically and commercially. Despite a wide release in over 3,000 theaters, the film's opening weekend grossed only $4 million, a disappointing result even with IMAX screenings. The film is projected to fall far short of its $115 million budget, with estimates suggesting an opening run below $10 million.

The long-awaited film, in production for over three years, received overwhelmingly negative reviews and is considered one of the summer's biggest critical failures. Even devoted fans expressed disappointment, leading to a low CinemaScore rating. Critics criticized the film for failing to capture the charm and humor of the games, suggesting it misjudged its target audience. Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews noted the film felt like a misguided attempt to appeal to younger viewers, resulting in a lackluster final product.

As Gearbox prepares its next game, the movie's poor performance serves as a cautionary tale regarding video game adaptations. However, the studio remains focused on delivering a successful game to its fanbase.