Following the disappointing box office performance of the *Borderlands* movie, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford offered another subtle hint regarding the development of *Borderlands 4*. This latest tease reaffirms the studio's continued work on the highly anticipated sequel.
Gearbox CEO Hints at *Borderlands 4* Progress
Ongoing Development of the Next *Borderlands* Game
On Sunday, Pitchford publicly thanked fans, emphasizing their unwavering enthusiasm for the Borderlands games, contrasting it with the movie's less-than-stellar reception. He further implied that development on the next installment is progressing well, igniting further anticipation among fans. This follows his previous comments in a GamesRadar+ interview where he alluded to several major projects underway at Gearbox, suggesting a Borderlands announcement wasn't far off.
Earlier this year, publisher 2K officially confirmed Borderlands 4 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 the status of 2K's fastest-selling title (19 million copies). Borderlands 2 remains their best-selling game overall, with over 28 million copies sold since 2012.
The Borderlands Movie's Failure Fuels Speculation
Pitchford's social media comments followed the Borderlands movie's significant critical and commercial failure. Despite a wide release in over 3,000 theaters, including IMAX, the film grossed a mere $4 million in its opening weekend, far short of projections and its substantial $115 million budget. The movie has received overwhelmingly negative reviews, becoming one of the summer's biggest box office disappointments, even among dedicated fans. Critics cite a disconnect with the source material, lacking the charm and humor that defined the games. As noted by Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews, the film seemed to misinterpret what would appeal to younger audiences, leading to a subpar cinematic experience.
The underwhelming performance of the Borderlands movie highlights the inherent challenges in adapting beloved video games to the big screen. However, Gearbox remains focused on delivering a successful gaming experience to its loyal fanbase with the upcoming Borderlands 4.
