The 2024 film adaptation of the popular Borderlands video game franchise struggled significantly at the box office, grossing a mere $33 million globally and receiving an unenthusiastic critical response. Despite these commercial and critical setbacks, Randy Pitchford, the CEO of Gearbox Entertainment, remains undeterred regarding future transmedia opportunities for the brand.
In a recent conversation, Pitchford indicated his openness to a second cinematic attempt, provided the right combination of creative talent and innovative concepts materializes at an opportune moment. “My stance is, if there are remarkable creators, artists, and entertainers who possess a unique vision they believe can only be realized through Borderlands, and they can demonstrate its viability, I am eager to facilitate that. Success is not always guaranteed, but we must continue to take our swings,” he articulated.
Pitchford further elaborated on his philosophy by drawing a parallel to the iconic band The Beatles, noting that even their revered discography contains tracks that, to his ear, are “unlistenable.” He mused, “Should we then conclude, `You created an unlistenable song, therefore, cease all musical endeavors`? That`s not the spirit; one must persist in creating music.” This analogy underscores his belief in perseverance and learning from less successful creative ventures.
Interestingly, Pitchford also offered a candid self-assessment, stating that the Borderlands movie would have been “considerably worse” had he taken on the directorial reins. “I can assure you, if I had directed that film, it would have been a complete catastrophe,” he confessed.
While the Borderlands movie proved to be a financial flop, it did not adversely affect Gearbox`s financial standing, as the production was entirely financed by the movie studio Lionsgate. Reports indicate that the film`s production budget was approximately $120 million, with tens of millions more expended on marketing. Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer was unequivocal in his assessment of the film`s poor outcome for the company, remarking, “Nearly every possible thing that could have gone wrong did go wrong.” He attributed the challenges to prolonged delays during the pandemic, costly reshoots, and escalating interest rates, which pushed the project outside their typical stringent financial frameworks.
Despite being rooted in an established franchise with a passionate fanbase, featuring a star-studded cast including Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Jamie Lee Curtis, and benefiting from the support of a major Hollywood studio, the film ultimately failed to connect with audiences. Cate Blanchett, for her part, reportedly joined the cast primarily as a means to leave her home during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
Meanwhile, the video game series continues its journey, with Borderlands 4 slated for release on September 12 for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5, followed by a dedicated PS5 launch in October.