A post from aBorderlandsfan on an iconic character’s name has shed light on a clever pun that many players are now realizing. Rhys Strongfork, who made his debut inTales from the Borderlandsand would go on to feature inBorderlands 3, has a name that parodies iconic Hollywood actress Reese Witherspoon.
Fans of theBorderlandsseries will be used to puns and parodies, as developers Gearbox Software keep a humorous tone throughout the titles. Despite this,many fans and long-time players have been left amused and even bewildered that they didn’t pick up on Rhys' name, missing a joke hiding in plain sight.Since making his first appearance in the Telltale Games spinoffTales from the Borderlandsin 2014, Rhys has become a fan favorite thanks to his charming and witty personality, before moving onto a corporate squabble with Katagawa Jr as the CEO of Atlas in 2019’sBorderlands 3.
Borderlands Players Now Get The Joke Behind “Rhys Strongfork”
A Bizarre Reference To A Hollywood Actress
The awareness behind Rhys' parody name came from a Reddit post on r/borderlands3, whereuser OneSimplyIsshared a post entitled “Ashamed to say, I’m just now realizing this,” featuring theLegally BlondeandWildactress Reese Witherspoon besides Rhys Strongfork, with no further context provided by the poster.Rhys and Reese are similar-sounding names, with Strongfork acting as a direct contrast to Witherspoon.While this explanation may sound simple, thousands of upvotes on the post suggest that many other fans were clueless about this small reference.
Rhys has featured in threeBorderlandsgames in this chronological order:Tales from the Borderlands, Borderlands 3,andNew Tales from the Borderlands. He was voiced by Troy Baker in his first appearance, before switching to Ray Chase in the latter two.
A discussion in the comments of the Reddit post expressed this sentiment of bewilderment, as userTerriblePabzstated “I swear the Borderlands series always finds new ways to hit you like a truck load of bricks despite all the years that pass,” withJazzVacuumagreeing with the OP by quipping “You are not the only one lol I never paid attention to his last name.“While there remains no concrete reason for Rhys' parody name, many fans in the comments believe that there is no deeper purpose to it; acting as a simple joke realized a decade later.
Our Take: Will Rhys Make a Cameo Comeback in Borderlands 4?
Former Borderlands Protagonists Often Return
WithBorderlands 4being confirmed for a 2025 release, witha well-received gameplay trailer at the Game Awards, fans have been speculating on which characters could make their return.The series typically features the previous title’s protagonists as essential characters to the narrative, so Rhys will likely return inBorderlands 4.In his role as the CEO of the Atlas Corporation, one of the major weapon producers, it would be fitting to see his character become involved in additional corporate mayhem, as well as assisting theVault Hunters.
I’m Worried That Borderlands 4 Will Repeat A Huge DLC Mistake
I’m really hoping that the inevitable Borderlands 4 DLC won’t look anything like the lackluster downloadable content from Tiny Tina’s Wonderland.
Whether Rhys Strongfork makes another appearance inBorderlands 4or not, fans can still expect the witty and irreverent action that the series is known for.Afterthe concerning flop of theBorderlandsmovie, the series needs a return to its high-quality formula. UntilBorderlands 4’s 2025 release, fans will be sure to dig through previous titles in the series, as there may be more hidden gems like the Reese Witherspoon reference to locate for patient Vault Hunters.
Sources:Reddit - r/borderlands3
