'Free Guy 2 won't be rushed': Shawn Levy explains why NOT to expect movie sequel any time soon
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Remember Ryan Reynold's 'Free Guy'? What a fresh breath of air that was with its unique storyline that played around with the whole 'video game' film genre. Well, there might be a sequel in the works but don't expect it to drop anytime soon, or so says the director Shawn Levy. Levy's project platter is full with a plethora of films, starting from 'Deadpool 3,' starring Hugh Jackman, and the fifth and final season of Netflix's 'Stranger Things.'
The 54-year-old director, who helmed the 2021 comedy starring Ryan Reynolds as a "NPC" bank teller who after discovering he is a "non-playable character" in a massively multiplayer online video game, decides to make some changes. The film was done right with just the right mix of action and comedy with some terrific visual sequences. Levy discussed his upcoming plans for the sequel and whether it is being developed or not. Giving reference to his own 2011's film, 'Real Steel' he justified they are not rushing into 'Free Guy 2' either. Levy gained recognition in the 2000s for directing comedy films like 'Big Fat Liar' and 'Just Married' before subsequently helming the 'Cheaper by the Dozen,' 'The Pink Panther,' and 'Night at the Museum's film franchises.
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In a recent interview with Collider, he disclosed his plans for the future projects in an elaborated way. He said, "It's still in development. I don't know if it's in the cards, but it is very much still in development. It's something that Disney and Fox want badly. I really try to not make sequels that don't deserve to be. And it's why I didn't move forward with the 'Real Steel' sequel because I didn't feel we had a second movie that could match or top the first." Like his 2011 sci-fi drama, Levy doesn't want to do a follow-up just for the sake of having a sequel.
He added: "I'm holding 'Free Guy' to that same standard. We are still hearing ideas, developing ideas, and expounding on ideas. But I would say that in the time that's passed since 'Free Guy' came out, the love for that movie has become more and more clear to Ryan and I, anecdotally, on sidewalks, in the press. So we're not going to mess with a good thing unless we can make a great thing." He further shed light on how difficult it is to make sequels. He explained: "Sequels are really hard to make great. It's why we all look to a 'Terminator 2' or an 'Empire Strikes Back' as high watermarks and frankly as unicorns. It's really, really hard.
"And again, I made three 'Night at the Museums.' One reason that I cast each one of them at such a stratospheric level, with comedic stars and comedic geniuses, is I wanted to make sure that they could be unique. But it's a really tough balance. And we're obviously very much exploring this with 'Deadpool,' is how do you honor what got you to that moment? How do you honor what people love without regurgitating what people love? It's the right balance, and it's challenging as hell." Regardless, 'Deadpool 3,' which will integrate the character into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), is set for release on November 8, 2024, as the first film in Phase Six of the MCU.
