Wanted co-writer Derek Haas recently shared some encouraging news about the long-awaited sequel to the hit action thriller. Released in 2008, this film, adapted from Mark Millar’s gripping comic series, featured James McAvoy as Wesley Gibson, an unsuspecting office worker turned assassin, alongside Angelina Jolie as his enigmatic mentor and Morgan Freeman as his formidable boss. While the film wrapped up its narrative on a decisive note, speculation around a sequel began as early as 2011, when Universal expressed interest in further developing the project with the original screenwriters.
In an interview with ScreenRant‘s Ash Crossan while promoting his new Prime Video series, Countdown, Haas offered an optimistic glimpse into the future of Wanted 2. Reflecting fondly on the creation of the first film, he articulated a deep passion for the project, stating that he would “love to do it again if everyone was on board.” Despite the fact that it’s been 17 long years since the original film’s release, Haas remains hopeful, adding that in Hollywood, we should “never say never.” Here’s what he had to say:
Derek Haas: No, from your lips to God’s ears. I loved everything about making Wanted, and if Universal decides at some point they want to do the second one, Michael Brandt and I wrote a script for it that I still think is pretty good. And James McAvoy, come on back, let’s do Wesley again. It was really fun.
Ash Crossan: I think he’s recently said in an interview. He’s been like, “Yeah, I’d still love to do it no matter what.”
Haas: Yeah, I will say, never say never in this town, that’s for sure.
What This Means For Wanted 2
Wanted 2 Is Currently Not Moving Forward, But It Could Still Happen
Talk of Wanted 2 initially surfaced after the original film’s box office triumph, yet substantial progress didn’t occur until 2011. The film’s original director, Timur Bekmambetov, was still in the loop as the original screenwriters, Michael Brandt and Haas, worked on the script. Despite the bumps and eventual roadblocks in production, Haas’s remarks indicate that the sequel’s script is indeed well developed. While Universal currently lacks an active plan for production, Haas keeps the door open for future possibilities.
Haas’s comments also hint at a significant aspect of the sequel: McAvoy’s return as Wesley would be pivotal. Though McAvoy has taken on a wide array of roles throughout his career, he has expressed interest in reprising his role as Wesley in a potential sequel. While the trajectory remains uncertain, the groundwork seems to be laid for reviving this fan-favorite franchise, although a near-term release seems unlikely.
Our Take On The Wanted 2 Update
Many Older Films Have Recently Received A Follow-up
A sequel to Wanted could delve deeper into Wesley’s transformation into an assassin and further explore the clandestine Fraternity organization. While creative differences and timing issues have thwarted its development in the past, strong trends show that older films are increasingly getting sequels or follow-ups, sometimes decades after their debuts. Just recently, 28 Years Later hit theaters nearly twenty years after its predecessor, while Final Destination Bloodlines resurfaced 14 years post its last installment. With shifting industry dynamics, the chance of Wanted 2 becoming a reality has gained some momentum.
The potential re-emergence of Wanted 2 speaks to a broader cultural reconnection with nostalgia and beloved characters. This evolution in filmmaking encourages a fresh lens on stories and characters that audiences have long cherished.