"An unbelievable thing happened three weeks ago. Because we stopped, we didn't know what to do for three or four years. Three weeks ago I came up with a great idea and I pitched this idea and everybody fell in love with it. And now I think we're on track. Right now the writer is working on the script, and it will be shocking. It's a continuation of the story, with Wesley Gibson. Other people are dead, you know, we can't bring them back. The story is the same character, same mythology, but it's got a great twist."
That was what director Timur Bekmambetov told us a few months ago when asked about the state of Wanted 2, which has been stuck in place for a few years while they try to figure out how best to tackle the sequel. After courting Angelina Jolie to return, she ultimately refused, and practically no movement was made on it since. James McAvoy was obligated to come back, and there were rumors at one point that Kristen Stewart could come aboard as a new female character. Whether or not Stewart does it is anyone's guess(probably not), but the idea of a new female lead seems to have stuck.
Screenwriter Derek Haas was asked by Hollywood.com about the film, and he revealed the story picks up four years later, with Wesley facing a very familiar situation....
Haas: "The only thing I can tell you is that Wesley [James McAvoy] is now, four years later, recruiting a young woman who is in his situation in the first movie. She's got a sh**ty life. He's sort of in the Fox role. This new girl is brought into the world"
Does anybody still care about a Wanted sequel at this point? It's been four years already and that film was very much a product of the moment, like many Mark Millar stories tend to be. Although it made over $340M, there hasn't been much of a clamor for a follow-up, and without Jolie attached I doubt it will draw much attention.
