Actually, Gearbox wanted to bring back Handsome Jack as the villain for Borderlands 3. But there was a problem.
Who is Handsome Jack? Jack is the villain in Borderlands 2 and also appears in Borderlands: The PreSequel and in some form in Tales from the Borderlands.
He is a very popular character and a villain who is memorable due to his narcissistic personality and relatable goals.
The Return of Handsome Jack?
Was Handsome Jack planned as the villain for Borderlands 3? Since Handsome Jack was so popular, it would make sense to bring him back. And that was exactly what the developers had planned. Gearbox’s Randy Varnell explained that the team didn’t believe they could develop another interesting villain, so why not just bring him back somehow for part 3?
This is why he didn’t come back: Handsome Jack does not survive the events of part 2 (sorry for the spoiler). However, that wouldn’t be the major problem, since he also appears in Tales from the Borderlands and the story takes place after Borderlands 2.
The real problem presented itself through a list compiled by Borderlands fans of things they did not want to see in a third part.
Right at the top of the list was Handsome Jack. This led to a rethinking among the developers. They believed it was indeed time for a new villain.
However, it was not easy to find a worthy successor. Whether Gearbox has succeeded with the Calypso twins is something everyone must decide for themselves.
Somehow he is still involved
This is why Handsome Jack returned nonetheless: In the DLC Moxxi’s Heist of the Handsome Jackpot, you are supposed to heist a space casino of their former lover Handsome Jack. There we meet Handsome Jack’s body double Timothy, and Jack is generally part of the casino. Dead is dead, and so Handsome Jack is basically just a “presence” in the story of the DLC. But Borderlands simply can’t do without him.
What do you think? Should Gearbox have brought back Handsome Jack as a villain for Borderlands 3 or are you glad not to have to experience him again?
