Gearbox President and CEO Randy Pitchford was not happy with the initial reactions to the Borderlands movie adaptation. With the film receiving poor reviews across the board and possibly struggling to break the $10 million mark in its debut weekend, Pitchford took to social media to ask for "helpful and constructive feedback" from fans of the video game series.
After reposting a moviegoer's tweet who was upset that the film wasn't a simple retelling of the original Borderlands game, Pitchford asked if anyone else shared this sentiment.
"Is this a sentiment anyone else shares?" he asked. "Should the movie have just done a one-to-one retelling of the Borderlands 1 story? This platform lets someone like me hear from someone like you, which is cool!"
While the question appeared innocent enough, it was clear from Pitchford's snarky responses to fans that he was not actually interested in constructive feedback
You saw the movie? You think the rating had an impact? I'm curious, what from the movie could've happened differently and better by doing something that could only be done with an R rating? Can you think of anything you could share with me?
— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) August 10, 2024
It seems that more than the story itself, fans took issue with the film's PG-13 rating. Given the source material's crude humor and violence, many believe the film would've been better off with an R rating. Pitchford didn't seem receptive to these responses either.
That wasn't the question, but did you see the movie? If so, can you tell me something specific that only could've been done with an R rating that would've made the movie better?
— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) August 10, 2024
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So the rating is what mattered to you? Did you see the movie? If so, can you tell me something specific that only could've been done with an R rating that would've made the movie better?
— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) August 10, 2024
After seemingly hours of back and forth with fans, Pitchford eventually conceded to the realization that gamers prefer what Gearbox does with the Borderlands video games. That's when he used the opportunity to tease the fourth mainline game in the Borderlands video game franchise.
"I'm super flattered! We're working extra hard four you on what's next..." he teased.
So what you're saying is: You like what my friends and I do with our Borderlands video games even more than you like what some of the biggest and best cast and crew of film makers on the planet have done. I'm super flattered! We're working extra hard four you on what's next....
— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) August 10, 2024
Of course, Pitchford's tweet shouldn't come as a surprise, necessarily. In fact, in a recent interview with Epic Games Store, the Gearbox CEO already confirmed work has begun on a new Borderlands game, as well as a new Brothers in Arms game.
"There's a moment when we're ready, and we can and will announce something because that's the moment to make a public promise," he stated. "We're working on lots of Borderlands. We're working on lots of Brothers in Arms."
In addition to his role as president and CEO of Gearbox, Pitchford also served as executive producer of the Borderlands movie, which probably explains why he wants to see it do well in theaters. Unfortunately, with just a 10% score on Rotten Tomatoes and just a 51% Audience Score, it's among the worst films of 2024.It's possible that fans of the video game series will ignore the reviews and still check out the film in theaters, but it sounds like many of them are upset over its rating and deviation from the source material.
