Borderlands Sequel Hinted After Disastrous Film

Gearbox CEO Hints at Borderlands 4 Development Following Movie Flop

Following the critical and commercial failure of the Borderlands movie, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has again teased the development of Borderlands 4. This subtle confirmation of the project's progress comes amidst fan disappointment with the film adaptation.

Confirmation of Borderlands 4's Development

Pitchford recently expressed gratitude to fans, highlighting their enduring passion for the Borderlands games, a passion he contrasted with the movie's less-than-stellar reception. He further implied that the team is actively working on the next installment, fueling anticipation among fans. This follows a previous statement in a GamesRadar+ interview where he alluded to several significant projects underway at Gearbox, including the next Borderlands game.

Officially confirmed earlier this year by publisher 2K following Take-Two Interactive's acquisition of Gearbox, Borderlands 4's development is no longer a secret. The Borderlands franchise, launched in 2009, boasts over 83 million units sold, with Borderlands 3 achieving 19 million sales—2K's fastest-selling title. Borderlands 2 remains the company's top seller with over 28 million copies sold since 2012.

The Borderlands Movie's Impact

Pitchford's social media comments followed the movie's poor performance at the box office and with critics. Despite a wide release in over 3,000 theaters, the film's opening weekend grossed a mere $4 million, falling far short of expectations. Projected to earn less than $10 million in its initial run against a $115 million budget, the movie is considered a significant box office bomb.

The film, plagued by delays and ultimately released after more than three years in production, received overwhelmingly negative reviews and is now considered one of the summer's biggest critical failures. Even dedicated Borderlands fans expressed disappointment, leading to a low CinemaScore. Critics cited a disconnect with the source material, lacking the humor and charm that defined the games. Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews highlighted the film's misguided attempt to appeal to a younger demographic, resulting in a subpar product.

Gearbox's focus now shifts to Borderlands 4, with the movie's failure serving as a cautionary tale about video game adaptations. The studio remains committed to delivering a successful game to its loyal fanbase.