Borderlands 4 Rumors Swirl Amid Movie Flop

Gearbox CEO Hints at Borderlands 4 After Borderlands Movie Flop

Following the box office failure of the Borderlands movie, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has again teased the development of Borderlands 4, subtly confirming the project's ongoing progress. Read on for details on the game's development and the CEO's recent comments.

Gearbox Confirms Continued Work on Next Borderlands Installment

Borderlands 4 Development Update

On Sunday, Pitchford offered another subtle confirmation of the studio's work on a new Borderlands game, thanking fans for their continued enthusiasm for the game franchise, which he noted far outweighed the reception of the recent film adaptation. He added that the team is hard at work on the next entry in the series, leaving fans hungry for more information.

This latest tease follows a previous comment from Pitchford last month in a GamesRadar+ interview, where he alluded to several large-scale projects currently underway at Gearbox. While avoiding a formal announcement, he hinted that news on the next Borderlands game wouldn't be long in coming.

Earlier this year, publisher 2K officially confirmed Borderlands 4's development, 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 the company's top-selling game, boasting over 28 million units sold since 2012.

Movie's Poor Reception Spurs CEO's Comments

Pitchford's social media comments came on the heels of significant negative reaction to the Borderlands movie, both critically and commercially. Despite a wide release in over 3,000 theaters, the film grossed a mere $4 million in its opening weekend. Even Imax screenings failed to improve its disappointing performance. The film is projected to fall far short of $10 million in its initial run, a stark contrast to its $115 million production budget.

The long-delayed film, in production for over three years, has received overwhelmingly negative reviews and is now considered one of the summer's biggest critical flops. Even dedicated Borderlands fans expressed disappointment, leading to a low CinemaScore. Critics have described the film as disconnected from its source material, lacking the charm and humor that defined the games. Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews noted the movie seemed a misguided attempt to appeal to a younger demographic, ultimately resulting in a lackluster product.

As Gearbox prepares for its next game release, the poor reception of the Borderlands movie serves as a cautionary tale regarding the challenges of adapting beloved video games to the big screen. However, the studio remains focused on delivering another successful title for its gaming fanbase.