5 Unnecessary, Unwanted Sequels That Bit The Dust & 5 More That Are Somehow Getting Made

Features

by Oliver Lyttelton
March 13, 2012 3:33 PM
26 Comments

"Inside Man 2"
A rare box-office hit for Spike Lee, twisty heist picture "Inside Man" made a thoroughly decent $90 million in the U.S, and doubled that internationally, on a $45 million budget, and development on a sequel was announced soon after. Original writer Russell Gerwitz turned in what was allegedly a shocker of a script, so "Hotel Rwanda" scribe Terry George was elicited for a new version. By that time, according to Lee, Universal were no longer interested. We can't say we mourn it: we like the original a lot, but any kind of sequel featuring the three original leads would have felt unnecessary.

"Jumper 2"
Hoped to be Fox's next big franchise, teen sci-fi tale "Jumper" proved to be something of a damp squib on release four years ago. But presumably a not-terrible international haul of $140 million (against $80m domestically) made the studio think that there might be some legs in a series. Star Hayden Christensen started to talk up the potential "darker" follow-up in interviews in 2010, in the same way that Tom Arnold always talks about a "True Lies" sequel, but rock-solid info on a sequel has never materialized, presumably because no in the world is passionate about "Jumper" in the first place.

"Wanted 2"
By some distance the biggest hit on this list, juvenile shoot-em-up "Wanted" made $340 million on a $75 million budget, which is profitable any way you split it, so it's easy to see why hit-starved Universal were keen on a follow-up. But the problem was that not many others were. The film was never particularly beloved by anyone over the age of fourteen, the film's headline star was killed off in the original, and director Timur Bekmambetov has moved on to other things. The original writers were hired back last September, so this might yet emerge, but is anyone counting the days until it does? Five will get you ten that this never makes it to production.

Five Sequels That Somehow Are Being Made
"G.I. Joe: Retaliation"
Stephen Sommers' "G.I Joe: The Rise Of Cobra" wasn't exactly a home-run hit: beset by behind-the-scenes clashes and budget overages, the $175 million picture only made $150 million in the U.S, and took the same internationally, meaning that Paramount were unlikely to make a profit, at least until the ancillary markets. But with the company losing the Marvel franchises, and "Star Trek 2" delayed by a year, they needed a tentpole for this summer, and effectively rebooted the series, with a virtually all-new cast toplined by Dwayne Johnson, who gave another franchise a boost last year with "Fast Five." The presence of Bruce Willis and a cheaper budget probably helped the greenlight, but it remains to be seen if people were put off enough by the original to be fooled again.

"Silent Hill: Revelation 3D"
Yes, this is a real thing. Christophe Gans' video-game adaptation failed to set the box office alight when it bowed back in 2006, falling short of making back its $50 million production budget domestically, and closing out just south of $100 million worldwide. But presumably, the film's done well enough on home video, as "Silent Hill: Revelation 3D" went into production last year with "Solomon Kane" director Michael J. Bassett at the helm, and original stars Radha Mitchell and Sean Bean returning, along with "Game of Thrones" star Kit Harington and rising star Adelaide Clemens. Presumably, they're hoping to pull another "Resident Evil"-style franchise, and they may have found a way to keep the budget lower this time around, but of all the films on this list, this is the one we're truly baffled by.

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More: Features, The Green Hornet, G.I. Joe 2, Grown Ups 2, Silent Hill: Revelation 3D, Wanted 2

26 Comments

| Reply
Gofuckyourself | October 27, 2012 1:01 PMReply

I liked red and am pumped for red2. MIB3 was really good. So go fuck yourself
Myself | July 4, 2012 10:30 PMReply

Um, I guess the author doesn't realize that the reported budget of a film includes marketing expenses.

I'm confused as to how this person has a job reporting on the entertainment industry. lol
Tanner | May 30, 2012 2:17 AMReply

I would like to agree with everyone that is saying that they enjoyed jumper, and in my opinion most of the movies on this list were quite enjoyable to watch. The only other thing I have to say is if someone with half a brain would greenlight Adam Sandler's Jack &Jill or the upcoming That's my boy than all of these deserve a greenlight for production.
sogetsu | May 14, 2012 9:12 PMReply

im surprised that gi joe, wanted, green hornet, green lantern, resident evil, silent hill are considered flops. prob cuz of the leak cam vids etc?

those movies were way better then the likes of paranormal activity etc, how are they flops?

prob cuz of fans and illegal vids being post online of these movies.

if a movies entertaining, its good period.
Chris | May 12, 2012 12:55 PMReply

I think the crybaby who made this should be fired. It's nothing but some ass clown whining about shit they have no clue about. They don't make movies. They're not even in the profession. You think you can do better? Put up or shut up.
seekler | May 1, 2012 12:15 PMReply

I may not be intelectually above 14 years, but find this offensive. Actually, I liked Wanted and maybe others too. Where are you getting your information? It may be skewed.
jason | April 30, 2012 9:21 PMReply

Silent Hill will be a big hit due to Insidious. Because of Insidious, moviegoers are more interested in the astral word and the subplanes. With a movie release date prior to Halloween, Silent Hill can stand to make back the production budget after the second weekend in release. You can count on it!

http://www.MetaphysicalMovies.com
MAL | April 5, 2012 4:23 PMReply

Not sure why but I loved Silent Hill. Yes, yes, I know -- the plot was all but inexplicable, but I was utterly drawn into the visceral nightmare put up on screen. I do not, however, hold out much hope for any sequel (or original film for that matter) written and directed by the guy that brought forth Solomon Kane.
Gary | March 26, 2012 9:08 PMReply

I'm looking forward to Wrath of the Titans and MIB. I think the author of this article is artsy far sty like most critics, and watches movies for some ethereal display of acting skill as opposed to the reason why most of us watch movies:ENTERTAINMENT.
Dan | April 3, 2012 5:06 PM

2 words..... Well said
Mike | March 18, 2012 8:00 PMReply

Where did all these defenders come from for these would be franchises? They don't seem like the everyday commenters here.
Brian | June 1, 2012 5:37 AM

I'm assuming Google, that's how I got here.
ASFan | March 17, 2012 9:41 PMReply

Another unnecessary sequel getting made? Vin Diesel's Riddick.
Sandler sucks | March 16, 2012 10:53 PMReply

Sean Bean upper B-list? Really? I am inclined to believe that many people would disagree with you on that one.
anon | March 16, 2012 7:10 PMReply

disagree on the Percy Jackson series - the series is among the most popular among kids and teens from the 8 to 16 demograpis. guess you've never been to a rick riordance book signing or a camp half blood event. there is interest and love for the series and Fox is probably banking on that potential audience for the sequel. Nathan fillion just signed on adding geek cred but you would probably dismiss him as C-list actor.
ASFan | March 15, 2012 5:00 PMReply

Actually, if you think about it, the Brazilian Job was already made as Fast Five.
Marcus | March 14, 2012 8:35 PMReply

Speak for yourself! I'm stoked that they are actually going ahead with the Percy Jackson series...if they follow the books closely it will be an amazing series! The first movie just came out around a bunch of other big blockbusters...so planning on a good release date would help!

Also I've been dying for Jumper 2.....Jumper was great and I've been dying to know what happens..I still have a small twinge of hope they will make Jumper 2! Plus I didn't realize it was a book series, after reading a comment on here I'm going to have to go find the books!
Cameron | March 14, 2012 2:54 PMReply

"we don't know anyone who's really pumped to see "Wrath Of The Titans," "Men In Black 3" or "Red 2,"" Sorry but Men In Black 3 shouldn't be included on that list. Me and many other people I know cannot wait for Men In Black 3, it will be amazing.
Will | March 17, 2012 6:01 PM

@GEMMA
I found one good way is to find a critic you either rarely agree with on movies or almost 100% agree with. I have on critic I follow who has an almost exact polar opposite taste in movies from me. All I have to do is read a few sentences into his reviews to know if he hated or loves the movie. If I find he dislikes the movie, I'll like it. If I find he despises and hates the movie, then I'm going to love it. And if he thinks a movie is great, I skip it. It works for me about 98% of the time I say. I've had a movie here and there he hates I hate, or he likes that i like but its VERY rare. In the end, if I want to see it in threatres, regardless what anyone says about it, i see it...unless the movie is less than an hour and a half then I don't feel it's worth admission.
Gemma | March 14, 2012 3:40 PM

I stopped listening to critics when I skipped Clash of the Titans in the theater because the critics wrote it off. When I saw it later on cable, I wished I hadn't listened. If you're interested in something you should go. More then likely there will be something you'll like about the movie.
Liz | March 13, 2012 6:20 PMReply

"Original writer Russell Gerwitz turned in what was allegedly a shocker of a script"

Interesting, I've never heard this before. Was it shockingly bad, or was it just a complete left-turn compared to what studio execs were expecting?
katmanduuu | March 13, 2012 6:42 PM

I'm interested in this as well
Katie | March 13, 2012 4:42 PMReply

Can NOT agree with you regarding the a Jumper 2, IF you read the books the second book starts the story TEN YEARS later and there certainly IS a huge fan base out there that WANTS to see the next book in film as well. I believe there WILL be a Jumper 2,however, at the moment Hayden Christensen is readying to film The Diplomat and probably next The Mandrake so he will be busy, perhaps they are waiting for his time to be available. I love the concept of the books and the film of Jumper so I am looking forward to the next film and $140 million buckaroos is nothing to sniff at, ESPECIALLY back in 2008, let alone today!
Gemma | March 14, 2012 12:54 PM

First of all, Jumper did $222 million worldwide. The $140 million mentioned in the above article is misleading so it is similar to the Percy Jackson movie in numbers.
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Really Rich? They look at IMDb comments for research. Gee, I wish I had a nickel for every time a fan made a comment thinking it would contribute to getting a movie made or making it their way, I'd be as rich as George Lucas.
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Looks like the Jumper IMDb message board is very active for a 4 year old movie no one liked. LOL I checked the IMDb message board for Jumper 2, it's always been very active (at least up to late February). I don't see most people on that board not wanting Jumper 2 to be made. It looks like most very much want Jumper 2 to be made. The original Jumper was pretty much a bare bones intro and a sequel could have a lot of potential. Jumper 2 would at least be a movie based on an original story and not some retreaded remake like Hollywood keeps wanting to give us.
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However fanboys want to put down the Star Wars prequels and Hayden Christensen online, they are still only a percentage of the movie-going public. Believe it or not, not everyone has seen a Star Wars movie, even though they've heard about them through popular culture.
Rich | March 14, 2012 4:56 AM

Sorry, Katie. I don't wish to appear rude but there simply ISN'T a huge fan base out there wanting to see the next book filmed. Quite often a studio will produce a film with a view to it starting a franchise and people will go and see it in numbers that seem to justify their plans. They go ahead and greenlight a sequel based on box office receipts and a provisional script is written. Then someone with more than half a brain cell at the studio looks at reviews left on imdb and does market research to see what people actually thought of the first film. When they realise that most people actually thought it was kinda sucky they decide to save their money rather than make a sequel that will more than likely flop because no-one actually liked the first one and aren't going to waste their money a second time round. Also, Hayden Christensen is hardly a big name and as much as I'm sure he's a terribly nice guy he's never going to wash off the stink that is the Star Wars prequels in the eyes of the movie going public.
Will | March 13, 2012 5:21 PM

Katie, you've lost your capitalization privileges for the rest of the day.