With Tiny Tina's Wonderlands set to release in March, the next main Borderlands game is likely still a few years away. However, with Borderlands iv rumored to be in development, and the sequel likely not going to take as long to make as Borderlands 3, it isn't too early to starting time talking almost the future. Ironically, though, the best thing Borderlands 4 could do is look to its past.

With Borderlands iii, Gearbox made the bold decision to motion across Handsome Jack, with the developer'south logic existence understandable. The Borderlands universe is massive and total of interesting characters, and by telling new stories, a villain simply equally adept as Handsome Jack could be created. Unfortunately, the Calypso Twins felt similar wasted potential, serving equally a articulate reminder of Handsome Jack's greatness. With a few possibilities available to Gearbox when information technology comes to Handsome Jack's render, and the potential for an interesting narrative following his improvement, the villain deserves more screentime.

Ways Handsome Jack Could Render

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The starting time mode that Handsome Jack could return is through Timothy, one of his dopplegangers. Completely transformed into Handsome Jack, Timothy was a playable Vault Hunter in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel and a major graphic symbol in the Borderlands 3 DLC Moxxi's Heist of The Handsome Jackpot. Here, players larn that some of Jack'southward Dna is inside Timothy, and there are brief moments where Timothy snaps into a Handsome Jack persona. With the DLC'south catastrophe playing with the idea that Jack could take control over Timothy, this is one piece of cake way to bring back the menacing antagonist.

Some other option would see a Tales from the Borderlands choice become canon. After Rhys fights and defeats the AI version of Handsome Jack, removing his cybernetics to get rid of his one-time idol, players tin can choose to crush or go along the centre that contains Jack. If Rhys chose to hang onto this eye, there is a chance that the Jack AI could return, something Borderlands 4 could play with. Whether Gearbox wants to use the AI, Timothy, or a combination of both, there are already some narrative threads nowadays that would make Jack'south comeback feel natural instead of forced.

What A New Handsome Jack Story Could Be Almost

One fan shares their detailed Handsome Jack cosplay.

When thinking of what a new Handsome Jack story could be, the heaven is the limit for Gearbox. One obvious route to go would exist revenge, every bit Handsome Jack could hunt down everyone who wronged him. Seeing Lilith and the Borderlands two Vault Hunters being picked off 1-by-ane would exist heartbreaking, but it would make Jack scarier than ever. Farther, if the AI version is brought back, he would surely be deadset on killing Rhys, also. Knowing Borderlands, Jack would probable exist hunting a Vault for power at the same time.

However, another possibility would encounter Jack getting a redemption arc. Redeeming a killer who has done awful things is always a difficult task for writers, but as shown with properties similar The Walking Dead and the character of Negan, information technology tin make for interesting storytelling. It is important to remember that if Jack did come back, he would have nothing. Hyperion has moved on, pregnant he has no power, and his daughter is expressionless. He may accept been humbled by his defeats at the hands of the Vault Hunters and Rhys, and a larger threat like The Watcher's War could force him to exist less selfish.

The reason Handsome Jack is such a beloved character is his complexity. While he is absolutely hilarious, he is besides utterly terrifying. Further, his motivations are understandable. Pandora is an atrocious identify that took his married woman away from him, and the corruption he suffered when younger only twisted him further. Equally shown in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, Handsome Jack was always egotistical, just he also had the potential to do skillful. With so many layers, Handsome Jack coming back is something that could become in several directions. He could become a Tony Stark-like figure that retains his cockiness but tries to exercise the right thing, or he could go fifty-fifty further off the deep end.

While it is true that the Borderlands series is more than than Handsome Jack, and tin can certainly live on without him, it does not need to. He is arguably the best character the series has produced, with many seeing him as one of their favorite video game villains of all fourth dimension. As such, further developing him and telling more stories most him would not injure. While in that location would undoubtedly be criticism about Gearbox falling back on what worked before and being stuck in the past, at that place is still untapped potential with Handsome Jack. Though it was expert to have a break from him in Borderlands 3, and he likely will non appear in Tiny Tina'southward Wonderlands, the character could bring a lot to Borderlands four.

Borderlands iv is rumored to be in development.

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