Borderlands 4 Surfaces Amidst Flopped Film Adaptation

Gearbox CEO Hints at Borderlands 4 After Borderlands Movie Flops

Following the box office bomb that was the Borderlands movie, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has once again dropped hints about the development of Borderlands 4. Read on for the latest updates and the possible connection to the film's failure.

Gearbox Confirms Continued Work on Borderlands 4

New Borderlands Game in Development

This past Sunday, Pitchford offered another subtle confirmation of progress on the next Borderlands title, thanking fans for their continued enthusiasm for the game franchise – an enthusiasm he noted far outweighed the reception of the recent movie. He emphasized the team's dedicated work on the upcoming installment, leaving fans hungry for more information.

This isn't the first time Pitchford has alluded to the game's development. Last month, in a GamesRadar+ interview, he revealed Gearbox has several large-scale projects in the works, hinting that news on the next Borderlands game is imminent.

Officially, 2K confirmed Borderlands 4 earlier this year, coinciding with Take-Two Interactive's acquisition of Gearbox Entertainment. The Borderlands series, launched in 2009, has sold over 83 million units, with Borderlands 3 becoming 2K's fastest-selling title (19 million copies). Borderlands 2 remains their best-selling game, boasting over 28 million copies sold since 2012.

Borderlands Movie's Failure Spurs CEO's Comments

Pitchford's social media comments followed the disastrous reception of the Borderlands film. Despite a wide release in over 3,000 theaters, including IMAX screenings, the film's opening weekend only grossed $4 million. Projected to fall far short of $10 million against an $115 million budget, the movie is considered a major critical and financial failure.

The film, in production for over three years, received overwhelmingly negative reviews, disappointing even dedicated fans and resulting in a poor CinemaScore. Critics cited a disconnect with the source material, lacking the charm and humor that made the games so popular. Loud and Clear Reviews' Edgar Ortega highlighted the movie's misguided attempt to appeal to a younger demographic, leading to a subpar cinematic experience.

The underwhelming performance of the Borderlands movie serves as a cautionary tale for video game adaptations. However, Gearbox remains focused on delivering a successful gaming experience to its loyal fanbase with the upcoming Borderlands 4.