The Future of Borderlands hinges on this game-changing film

Highlights

The reception of the Borderlands movie holds significant implications for the future development of Borderlands 4. Given that the franchise is currently not at the pinnacle of its popularity, a poorly received movie could potentially harm the reputation of the brand.

The Borderlands movie's success or failure may shape future Borderlands games as the audience's response could lead to adjustments in areas such as humor. Live-action adaptations of video games have been around for a while, but only recently have they begun to improve. While the early 2000s Resident Evil movies were entertaining and the original Mortal Kombat films evoke nostalgia for many, and Warcraft had its moments, they are not considered exceptional films. However, with recent projects such as Detective Pikachu, Sonic, and The Last of Us, there may be a turning point for live-action video game adaptations, though it remains to be seen if the upcoming Borderlands movie will join this trend.

Now officially scheduled for release on August 9, 2024, the highly anticipated Borderlands movie boasts an impressive ensemble cast and is helmed by experienced director Eli Roth. However, despite its notable cast and faithful adherence to the original plot and character designs, fans remain cautious about the film's potential as the gaming industry has had a mixed track record with adaptations. Nevertheless, with its impending release, the Borderlands movie is certain to make a significant impact on the future of the Borderlands game franchise.

Borderlands 4's Development Could Be Greatly Impacted By the Movie's Reception

The current state of the Borderlands franchise is quite interesting. When Borderlands 3 was released in 2019, it garnered positive reviews from both fans and critics, establishing itself as another worthy addition to the cooperative series. Similarly, last year's Tiny Tina's Wonderlands also received acclaim upon its release, with many fans and critics commending the game for its fresh direction while still maintaining the beloved elements that made its predecessors so popular. However, despite these favorable receptions, both Borderlands 3 and Tiny Tina's Wonderlands failed to surpass the achievements of Borderlands 2 in the eyes of many fans.

The Borderlands franchise is currently not enjoying the same level of popularity as it once did, which makes the timing of releasing a movie based on the series somewhat perplexing. Typically, video game adaptations perform best when they coincide with the peak of fan interest. However, in this case, the Borderlands movie is hitting theaters when most fans have already moved on to other co-op shooters that offer a similar experience. As a result, the movie is already facing an uphill battle, and if recent rumors are to be believed, it may be a battle that it is destined to lose.

Recent reports from the movie news website World of Reel suggest that the Borderlands movie is experiencing significant issues behind the scenes. It is alleged that principal filming for Borderlands concluded in June 2021, but since then, the production has been in a state of post-production limbo, with multiple script rewrites and reshoots taking place over the past two years. Moreover, it has been noted that Craig Mazin, known for his impressive work on HBO's The Last of Us, has removed his name from the movie's credits. This, along with Mazin's attempts to distance himself from the project, serves as a foreboding indication of its quality.

The potential negative impact of a poorly-received Borderlands movie could greatly damage the reputation of the Borderlands brand, especially considering the franchise's current lack of success. Such a failure could significantly diminish interest in the entire franchise. Consequently, regardless of the movie's reception, it is highly likely that the next installment of Borderlands will carefully monitor audience reactions to specific elements of the film, and make necessary adjustments to the game currently in development. For example, if viewers react unfavorably to the movie's characteristic exaggerated and boisterous humor, it is possible that Borderlands 4 may tone down those aspects. The release date for Borderlands is scheduled for August 9, 2024.