Borderlands 4 Rumored Amidst Film Flop

Gearbox CEO Hints at Borderlands 4 Development Following Movie Flop

Following the box office and critical failure of the Borderlands movie, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has again subtly confirmed the studio's ongoing work on a new Borderlands game, strongly suggesting Borderlands 4 is in development.

CEO Acknowledges Fan Enthusiasm

Pitchford recently expressed gratitude to fans, highlighting their significantly greater enthusiasm for the game franchise compared to the recent movie adaptation. He alluded to the team's dedicated efforts on the next installment, fueling fan anticipation for further details. This follows a previous GamesRadar+ interview where Pitchford hinted at several major projects underway at Gearbox, with the next Borderlands game among them.

The development of Borderlands 4 was officially confirmed earlier this year by publisher 2K, coinciding with Take-Two Interactive's acquisition of Gearbox. The Borderlands franchise, boasting over 83 million units sold since its 2009 debut, is a proven success, with Borderlands 3 becoming 2K's fastest-selling title (19 million copies) and Borderlands 2 remaining its best-selling game (over 28 million copies).

Movie's Poor Reception Underscores Gaming Focus

Pitchford's comments arrive after the Borderlands movie faced widespread criticism and a disastrous box office opening, earning only $4 million despite a wide release and IMAX screenings. Projected to fall far short of its $115 million budget, the film received scathing reviews and is considered a major summer box office disappointment, even disappointing long-time fans of the franchise. Critics cite a disconnect with the source material's charm and humor, suggesting an attempt to appeal to a younger demographic that ultimately missed the mark.

The movie's failure serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in adapting video games to film. However, Gearbox remains focused on delivering a successful next installment in the Borderlands gaming franchise.