Why did 'Hancock 2' never happen? Will Smith's troubled superhero was expected to have a second run
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Hancock' came out in 2008, barely two months before 'Iron Man' introduced what would eventually grow to be the biggest superhero franchise in movie history. To be fair, 'Hancock' told a unique story, but it couldn't attract the masses like Marvel did. The main character of the movie is Will Smith's John Hancock, a self-absorbed Superman-type figure who despises others and becomes addicted to drugs. Even so, he has the potential for good, and Ray, a publicist (Jason Bateman), is confident that together, they can improve his reputation. At least until Hancock's history returns to haunt him and the audience learns that Mary (Charlize Theron), his ex-wife, is also a super-powerful entity.
Many expected Hancock to have a sequel, considering it was a moderate hit with a $629.4 million global gross and a cast eager to collaborate once more. Let's see what happened.
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What happened to 'Hancock 2'?
Smith's portrayal of a more sinister superhero succeeded well enough to merit a sequel. Besides, Smith and Theron's immortal god-like personalities left more to explore as they struggled to control their superpowers while searching for other immortal creatures dispersed over the globe. 'Hancock 2' would, however, have had to contend with the MCU films and everyone's competing schedules. Smith, Theron, and director Peter Berg were scheduled to return by September 2009. Glen Mazzara and Adam Fierro were writing the script. Yet, a year later, while Berg was occupied with 'Battleship', both writers were working on the AMC television series 'The Walking Dead'. In addition, Smith was devoting time to his family while everyone else appeared to be preoccupied with other activities.
Director Berg had his reservations
Berg shared his concerns about a sequel at the time. "There are so many cooks in that particular kitchen that are so busy. To get us all in the same room where we can talk and then agree on anything? You'll never meet a group of people who will have a harder time agreeing on anything," he noted in an interview.
'Hancock 2' would have had to find alternative protagonists even if it were unexpectedly given the go-ahead and a release date. Theron has now joined the MCU and will undoubtedly be busy for a while with her role as Clea in 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness'. Meanwhile, Smith's Oscar fiasco has led to the cancellation of the majority of his upcoming projects and a temporary expulsion from the Academy. But who knows, if Hancock taught us anything, it's that anyone can always turn their life around.
