Eli Roth’s Borderlands movie had a disappointing box office debut, receiving criticism from both reviewers and fans. Despite pulling in only $8.8 million in the U.S. and Canada, plus $7.7 million overseas, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford remains optimistic. He pointed out that a significant portion of the movie’s budget and marketing costs were covered by international pre-sales.
Pitchford, who worked as an executive producer on the film, responded to the backlash with positivity. He appreciated that fans preferred the video game version created by him and his team over the movie made by acclaimed filmmakers. This encouraged him to tease a potential fourth Borderlands game in the works.
Take-Two Interactive’s acquisition of Gearbox for $460 million further confirmed ongoing development in the Borderlands franchise. Despite the film’s rocky start, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick urged people to give it a chance, emphasizing the talented cast and the franchise’s fantastic IP.
While the film’s critical reception was harsh, with IGN giving it a dismal 3 out of 10, the future of the Borderlands series remains promising. Adele Ankers-Range, a freelance entertainment writer for IGN, continues to cover developments in the gaming and movie industries.
Vocabulary List:
- Disappointing /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪŋ/ (adjective): Causing disappointment; not meeting expectations.
- Criticism /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/ (noun): The expression of disapproval based on perceived mistakes or faults.
- Optimistic /ˌɒptɪˈmɪstɪk/ (adjective): Hopeful and confident about the future.
- Acclaimed /əˈkleɪmd/ (adjective): Publicly praised; celebrated.
- Franchise /ˈfræntʃaɪz/ (noun): A series of related products or works often under a common brand.
- Emphasizing /ˈɛmfəˌsaɪzɪŋ/ (verb): Giving special importance or prominence to something.
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