Twenty-five years on, The Dude still abides. And Jeff Bridges would abide by a sequel to the 1998 cult classic, but only if the Coen Brothers direct it.
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IndieWire (via People) reports that the actor would agree to a follow-up to “The Big Lebowski,” with one condition: Joel and Ethan Coen both return to helm it. “Oh God! If the brothers were involved, I certainly would,” Bridges told People. “The brothers, they’re mysterious and full of surprises. You don’t know what they’re going to do, so since they’re surprising, I don’t think they’ll make a sequel. But like I say, they’re surprising, so maybe they’ll surprise me and make a sequel.”
A “Lebowski” sequel would indeed be surprising, especially since the Coens haven’t helmed anything together since 2018’s Netflix anthology “The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs.” Since then, Joel made “Macbeth” for Apple Original Films in 2021, while Ethan co-directed “Jerry Lee Lewis: Trouble In Mind” with Tricia Cooke. Ethan also has “Drive-Away Dolls” on the way too, in theaters this September. This all comes after rumors of a split between the brothers, with frequent Coens collaborator Carter Burwell stating in 2021 that “Ethan just doesn’t want to make movies anymore.”
Clearly that’s not the case anymore. But the Coens addressed their perceived split at the Cannes Film Festival last year, citing production issues on their last two projects together as the reason. As for if the split is permanent? “None of the decisions are definitive,” said Ethan. So there may be hope yet for a “Lebowski” sequel, much less a reunion between the brothers.
But back to “The Big Lebowski.” Bridges, now 73, still looks back fondly on his work on the film. “That movie, I’m so proud to be a part of that movie. What a good one,” the actor continued. “When you hear “Lebowski” was 25 years ago, I say, ‘Come on, man. I can’t believe that.’ It feels like it was maybe five years ago, but 25? I can’t believe it.” Bridges also remarked that “Lebowski” still stands as a mark in time for him. “Movies are kind of like your children — they put it all in perspective. They let you know how fast it’s going, because before you know it you’ve got a six-month-old, and then you turn around, and she’s 16. Movies are kind of like that.”
A “Lebowski” sequel may be nothing but a pipe dream for diehard fans, but it’s not as if it hasn’t happened already. Well, sort of: John Turturro revisited his Jesus Quintana role in the 2020 film “The Jesus Rolls,” Turturro’s remake of the Bertrand Blier‘s 1974 movie “Going Places.” That’s more of a spinoff than a sequel, however, since there’s no sign of The Dude or Walter in that movie at all. And who’s to say what they’d be up to now? Probably still bowling.
As for Bridges, he hasn’t been in a feature film since “Bad Times At The El Royale.” He did star in FX‘s “The Old Man” to much critical acclaim, which received a second series order last year. But Bridges’ health will play a factor: the actor battled lymphoma in 2020 and COVID-19 in 2021. Bridges is healthy now, though, so who knows? If the Coens have a surprise up their sleeve, The Dude may roll again.