Gearbox CEO Hints at Borderlands 4 Development After Movie Flop
Following the disappointing box office performance of the Borderlands movie, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford offered another subtle confirmation of Borderlands 4's development. Read on for details on the game's progress and the CEO's recent comments.
Gearbox CEO Subtly Confirms Borderlands 4 Progress
A New Borderlands Game is in the Works
On Sunday, Pitchford again hinted at the next Borderlands installment, indirectly acknowledging the studio's continued work on the franchise. He thanked fans, emphasizing their greater enthusiasm for the games over the recent film adaptation and stated the team is actively developing the next game, sparking excitement among fans.
This latest tease builds upon Pitchford's comments last month in a GamesRadar+ interview, where he alluded to several large-scale projects in progress at Gearbox. While avoiding a formal announcement, he suggested news on the next Borderlands game is imminent.
Earlier this year, 2K officially confirmed Borderlands 4's development following 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 (19 million copies). Borderlands 2 remains the company's top seller, having moved over 28 million copies since its 2012 release.
Movie's Poor Reception Fuels CEO's Statements
Pitchford's social media comments followed the movie's significant critical and commercial failure. Despite a wide release in over 3,000 theaters, the film's opening weekend grossed a mere $4 million, a disappointing result even with IMAX screenings. Projected to fall far short of $10 million against its $115 million budget, the movie is considered a major box office bomb.
The long-delayed film, in production for over three years, received overwhelmingly negative reviews and is now viewed as one of the summer's biggest critical disappointments. Even dedicated Borderlands fans expressed their dissatisfaction, leading to a poor CinemaScore. 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 highlighted the film's misguided attempt to appeal to a younger audience, ultimately delivering a subpar cinematic experience.
As Gearbox prepares for its next game release, the Borderlands movie's poor reception serves as a cautionary tale about adapting beloved video game franchises to the big screen. However, the studio remains focused on delivering another successful title for its loyal gaming fanbase.
