Gearbox CEO Hints at Borderlands 4 Development Following Movie Flop
Following the box office and critical failure of the Borderlands movie, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has again alluded to the development of Borderlands 4. This subtle confirmation of ongoing work on the franchise comes amidst fan disappointment with the film adaptation.
Progress on Borderlands 4 Confirmed (Sort Of)
Pitchford recently expressed gratitude to fans, emphasizing their continued enthusiasm for the game series far outweighed their reception of the movie. He further hinted at the team's dedicated work on the next installment, sparking excitement among fans. This follows a previous GamesRadar+ interview where Pitchford acknowledged Gearbox's multiple large-scale projects, suggesting an imminent announcement regarding the next Borderlands title.
The development of Borderlands 4 was officially confirmed earlier this year by 2K, coinciding with Take-Two Interactive's acquisition of Gearbox. The Borderlands franchise, boasting over 83 million units sold since its 2009 debut, has proven immensely successful, with Borderlands 3 becoming 2K's fastest-selling title (19 million copies) and Borderlands 2 remaining its best-selling game (over 28 million copies).
Movie's Failure Underscores the Challenge of Game-to-Film Adaptations
Pitchford's comments arrive on the heels of the Borderlands movie's disastrous opening weekend, grossing a mere $4 million despite a wide release across over 3,000 theaters, including IMAX showings. Projected to fall significantly short of its $115 million budget, the film has received overwhelmingly negative reviews, even from dedicated fans, resulting in a low CinemaScore. Critics cite a disconnect with the source material, lacking the humor and charm that defined the games. As noted by Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews, the film appears to have misjudged its target audience, leading to a lackluster final product.
The underwhelming performance of the movie serves as a stark reminder of the inherent difficulties in translating beloved video games to the big screen. However, Gearbox remains focused on delivering a successful next installment in the Borderlands gaming franchise for its loyal fanbase.
