If you want to choose the most high-profile sequel to science fiction movies, "District 10" is one, and "Edge of Tomorrow 2: Reincarnation of Life and Death" is one.
12 years after the release of "District 9", director Neil Blomkamp finally announced the official announcement of the sequel "District 10" in February this year to start preparations;
"Edge of Tomorrow 2" did not make the audience wait for a long time, only 3 years after the previous work, director Doug Riemann revealed that the initial script has been completed.
However, after another 4 years, his sequel has not yet been released.
When there are new developments this year, it is somewhat helpless news.
Actress Emily Blunt revealed the progress of preparations for "Edge of Tomorrow 2" on a show, which probably means that because the budget is too high, the filmmaker Warner Bros. can't accept it, and it seems that the project has entered a state of shelving.
Before that, everyone thought that the biggest obstacle was the schedule of the two protagonists.
Emily Blunt has never been idle.
In 2018, the blockbuster "A Quiet Place" was released, and the sequel was released this year;
In the same year, he also starred in Disney's "Happy People 2";
Then go to Europe to shoot "Wild Mountain Thyme", this year's two blockbusters "A Quiet Place 2" and "Jungle Trek" are waiting to be released, and are expected to become Hollywood's reboot rescue works.
Later, she may also collaborate with Johnson on a superhero movie "Chains" and try to make a series.
The male protagonist, Tom Cruise, is known to be busy with the "Mission Impossible" series, as well as "Top Gun 2: Lone Ranger";
He also tentatively agreed on a space film with Doug Riemann, supposedly ready to go to space to shoot...
If these two very sought-after actors are to make room for each other, if you make an appointment now, it is estimated that you will have to wait until the next year to start shooting.
The director also said that at least until Brother Tang finished filming "Mission Impossible 8".
How to expect difficulties are coming one after another.
Today' biggest enemy is no longer the slot, but Warner.
(There should be DC fans laughing and silent here.) ）
After completing the first draft of the script in 2017, a year later Doug Riemann revealed that the preparation of the project was already prepared, and the script was still being further polished.
Warner was optimistic at the time, announcing the project in March 2019, with Evan Stoff (who produced the previous film) and Tom Lasally as the producer.
At the same time, Atango and Emily Blunt do not resist the sequel, it is really that everything is ready only to owe the East Wind.
In 2020, Doug Reeman posted a work photo showing the structure of the story and proving that the project was moving forward.
Unfortunately, most of the words on the blackboard are blurred, and what he wants to shoot in the sequel is still in a state of secrecy.
What can be confirmed at the moment is the subtitle "Reincarnation of Life and Death" and the description of "both a sequel and a prequel".
It seems that Doug Reeman wants to expand into a reincarnation story similar to "Twelve Monkeys", and Atango travels back in time in the sequel to reveal how the war with aliens began and evolved into "Edge of Tomorrow".
Everything seems to be going well, but it is only what it seems.
In fact, Warner has been very cautious about this project.
In 2019, it was said that the project was established, but doug Riemann was not immediately designated to continue directing, and it is clear that Doug Riemann wants to personally participate in it, otherwise he will not frequently disclose the dynamics of the project.
By October, he revealed that in addition to the actor schedule, he would have to wait for Warner to "turn on the green light".
This means that the preparatory work is only to prepare the plan, and it is not certain whether the final decision will be made. Because including the actor's salary, whether the producer's opinion is consistent with the director, etc., it may become a huge stumbling block.
For example, Paramount's "Star Trek 4", the script began to be prepared early in the morning, but it did not succeed when talking with Brother Hammer about the salary, and the result was that the movie was estimated to be unmade.
(Hammer: You Don't blame me for not having enough Paramount budget? ）
After a dismal 2020, Hollywood studios must be more cautious, and with many big productions in 2019 becoming a bloody disaster, it is inevitable to cut the cost of blockbusters.
Like Godzilla vs King Kong, the cost is said to be cheaper than Godzilla 2.
The biggest problem was that "Edge of Tomorrow" didn't perform well at the box office, costing $178 million, only to get back $363 million worldwide.
So why would Warner still be willing to hear Doug Rieman's thoughts?
Because the word of mouth is really good, the income of the Blu-ray disc and other benefits in the later period is added, and Warner should be the return to the original. And many discussions mention the expectation of sequels, there is a fan base, sequels may be a shame.
But only if costs are controlled.
In 2019, there were only 14 films with a global box office of more than 500 million, and after the setback in North American theaters, can there be 10 more?
If it can't reach 500 million, even if the cost is the same as the previous game, it is enough to hang.
Doug Reeman's budget is probably the top level of 200 million, not to mention Warner, Disney has to shake his hands when he sees this number. Of course, there is also a tang's remuneration or dividends are not a small amount.
According to this development, whether "Edge of Tomorrow 2" can start filming depends on two points.
The first is Doug Riemann's willingness to change the script and cut the budget sharply;
If you don't want to, the second is whether there is a streaming media platform willing to accept, throw a few hundred million into it, and solve all the problems.
Hollywood blockbusters are facing extremely serious challenges.
The creative exhaustion and the strange circle of infinite sequels have made the audience feel tired, and even the Chinese market is no longer popular. If it were not for the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the 10s, relying on the support of various big IP, Hollywood would have begun to go downhill a long time ago.
In such an environment, instead of letting Warner cut through the search, or even pursue commercialization like interfering in DC movies, or sacrificing the theater to go streaming, it is better to put it on hold and wait for the opportunity.
As long as Hollywood doesn't collapse, "Edge of Tomorrow 2" will always have hope, and you can see a sequel to Atango's "Top Gun" in 35 years.
Or maybe, fortunately, not making a sequel is the best choice.
"Edge of Tomorrow" is a rare work that has achieved a good reputation in the old routine of resisting aliens, and if it is filmed, it will return to the cliché without guarantee, ruining the whole story.
It just so happens that the ending leaves room for the audience to interpret, is it like "Inception" that ends in the voice of discussion, is it not good?