Handsome Jack is one of the most popular villains ever. Although Jack was defeated in Borderlands 2, there is strong evidence that we will have to deal with the villain again in Borderlands 3, at least according to MeinMMO author Robert.
What role did Handsome Jack play in Borderlands 2? In the second installment of the series, Handsome Jack, the head of the weapon company Hyperion, engages in a race with the Vault Hunters. They aim to open a legendary vault on the planet and setting of the game, Pandora.
Since we are in contact with Handsome Jack throughout the entire story, we experience many dramatic, but also comedic moments. While this makes us hate the main villain even more, it also builds an emotional connection.
In the end of Borderlands 2, Handsome Jack is ultimately defeated by the Vault Hunters. Ultimately? No, in fact, Jack appears once again.
This is how Handsome Jack was revived in “Tales from the Borderlands”: Jack died at the hands of the players, but a part of him continues to live on as an AI. One of the two main protagonists of the Telltale episodic series Tales from the Borderlands, Hyperion employee Rhys, accidentally introduces the AI as a cybernetic update. Throughout the story, Jack threatens to take control of Rhys and thereby become “reborn”.
However, this does not come to pass. Rhys removes the implant associated with Jack.
Players then had two options: to destroy the equipment (and thus Jack) or not to destroy it. Coincidentally, Rhys, including the Echo Eye, also appears in the announcement trailer for Borderlands 3. Coincidence?
According to the Borderlands Wiki, more people chose to destroy the implant, meaning Handsome Jack should definitely be history. However, the first trailers for Borderlands 3 suggest otherwise. In them, Rhys is seen WITH the Echo Eye.
Reasons why Handsome Jack is likely to play a role in Borderlands 3: The real Handsome Jack is dead, that’s something we can say for sure. However, this does not mean that he cannot have an influence on the story of Borderlands 3, which is supported by the following points:
- In the first released trailer “Mask of Mayhem”, Handsome Jack’s mask makes a brief appearance. While it is unclear whether this is merely a simple flashback, it could also be a glimpse into Borderlands 3 and his role in this installment.
- In the announcement trailer, posters can be seen stating “Honor the Father”. This phrase is connected to the new cult “Children of the Vault”, led by the Calypso Twins. It is not impossible that the two siblings have some kind of relation to Handsome Jack. If by father, Jack is indeed meant, can they succeed in bringing him back?
- From Tales from the Borderlands, we know that Jack can also “live on” as an AI within technical devices. Who’s to say that only Rhys had such an implant? Theoretically, there could be dozens of these devices.
Why didn’t Jack simply use a New-U station after his death? Perhaps Jack was never dead, but was revived at a New-U station, did not confront the Vault Hunters again due to his inferiority, but instead fled to devise a new plan. While this sounds interesting in theory, it is not practically possible.
In an interview with Destructoid, lead writer Anthony Burch explained that the respawn points after a death (New-U stations) do not belong to the official canon, so they are not officially part of the game world. They are a simple mechanic for player respawning.
All in all, Gearbox will not be able to ignore Handsome Jack in the new Borderlands 3. The character has greatly shaped the series. However, it will be intriguing to see in what form we will meet the charismatic fellow again.
What do you think? Will Handsome Jack return in Borderlands 3, and if so, how?
