Borderlands 4 Rumors Emerge Amidst 'Disaster' Film's Debut

Gearbox CEO Hints at Borderlands 4 Development After Movie Flop

Following the disappointing box office performance of the Borderlands movie, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford offered another subtle confirmation of Borderlands 4's development. The news comes as a welcome distraction for fans disheartened by the film's critical and commercial failure.

Gearbox Confirms Continued Work on Borderlands Franchise

On Sunday, Pitchford acknowledged the fervent fanbase's enthusiasm for the games, contrasting it with the movie's reception. He indirectly confirmed ongoing work on the next installment, generating significant excitement among fans eager for updates. This latest hint builds on Pitchford's previous comments in a GamesRadar+ interview, where he alluded to several large-scale projects at Gearbox, strongly suggesting an imminent announcement regarding the next Borderlands title.

The development of Borderlands 4 was officially confirmed earlier this year by publisher 2K, following Take-Two Interactive's acquisition of Gearbox. The Borderlands franchise, boasting over 83 million units sold since its 2009 debut, has a proven track record of 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).

Borderlands Movie's Failure Underscores Development Challenges

Pitchford's social media comments followed the movie's significant underperformance. Despite a wide release across over 3,000 theaters, including IMAX screenings, the film grossed a mere $4 million in its opening weekend, falling far short of expectations and its $115 million budget. The movie is projected to be a substantial box office loss.

The film, plagued by delays and three years in production, received overwhelmingly negative reviews, becoming one of the summer's biggest critical disappointments. Even dedicated fans expressed disappointment, leading to a poor CinemaScore. Critics cited a disconnect with the source material, lacking the humor and charm that defined the game series. As noted by Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews, the film's attempt to appeal to a younger audience ultimately fell flat.

While the Borderlands movie's reception highlights the challenges of adapting successful video games, Gearbox remains focused on delivering a successful next entry in its popular game franchise.