Gearbox CEO Hints at Borderlands 4 Development Following Movie Flop
Following the disastrous box office performance of the Borderlands movie, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has again teased the development of Borderlands 4. His recent social media comments, expressing gratitude to fans for their continued enthusiasm for the game franchise (in contrast to the movie's reception), subtly confirmed ongoing work on the next installment.
This isn't the first hint. Last month, Pitchford alluded to several major projects underway at Gearbox in a GamesRadar+ interview, suggesting an imminent announcement regarding the next Borderlands game. This tease comes after the official confirmation of Borderlands 4 development earlier this year by publisher 2K, coinciding with Take-Two Interactive's acquisition of Gearbox Entertainment. The Borderlands franchise boasts impressive sales figures, with over 83 million units sold across the series, including Borderlands 3, 2K's fastest-selling title at 19 million copies, and Borderlands 2, their best-selling game with over 28 million copies sold.
The underwhelming performance of the Borderlands movie, which grossed a mere $4 million in its opening weekend despite a $115 million budget and wide release, likely fueled Pitchford's comments. The film received overwhelmingly negative reviews, failing to capture the charm and humor that defines the game series. Critics cited a disconnect with the fanbase, suggesting a misguided attempt to appeal to a younger demographic. This critical and commercial failure underscores the challenges of adapting beloved video games to the big screen.
Despite the movie's setback, Gearbox remains focused on delivering a successful Borderlands 4 to its dedicated fanbase. The precise details remain scarce, but the CEO's hints suggest that an official announcement is likely on the horizon.
