Borderlands Franchise Explores New Horizons Beyond Film

Gearbox CEO Hints at Borderlands 4 After Movie Flop

Following the box office bomb that was 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

New Borderlands Game in Development

This past Sunday, Pitchford offered another subtle confirmation of the studio's ongoing work on the next Borderlands installment, thanking fans for their continued enthusiasm for the game series, which he noted far outweighed the reception of the recent film adaptation. This further fueled fan anticipation for more concrete details.

This latest hint follows Pitchford's comments in a recent GamesRadar+ interview where he revealed Gearbox had several major projects underway, suggesting that news on the next Borderlands game 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 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 game, having sold over 28 million copies since 2012.

Movie's Poor Reception Spurs CEO's Comments

Pitchford's social media comments arrived on the heels of a significant critical and commercial failure for the Borderlands movie. Despite a wide release in over 3,000 theaters, including premium IMAX showings, the film grossed a mere $4 million in its opening weekend. Projected to fall far short of $10 million against an $115 million budget, the movie is considered a major summer box office disappointment.

The long-awaited film, in production for over three years, received overwhelmingly negative reviews and a poor CinemaScore rating, even from dedicated Borderlands fans. Critics cited a disconnect with the franchise's established charm and humor, suggesting a misguided attempt to appeal to a younger demographic. Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews highlighted the film's failure to capture the essence of the games.

As Gearbox focuses on its next game, the movie's poor reception serves as a stark reminder of the challenges inherent in adapting beloved video games to the big screen. However, the studio remains dedicated to delivering another successful title for its loyal gaming community.