Franchises. Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em. And if you're Hollywood, you just can't live without them, period. The Hollywood Reporter has done a quick rundown of would-be series likely to spawn sequels in their latest issue, and if you've been following the box-office numbers, none of the choices should be much of a surprise.
Except for the biggest announcement of them all. In talking to 20th Century Fox chief Tom Rothman, the trade reports that a "Prometheus" sequel will likely hit theaters in either 2014 or 2015. "Ridley is incredibly excited about the movie, but we have to get it right," Rothman said. "We can't rush it." Stars Michael Fassbender and Noomi Rapace are signed on for sequels (as the only two characters who — spoilers! — lived), but writer Damon Lindelof might not be available (which frankly, may not be a bad thing; though the "Lost" writer conceptualizing the story wouldnt be so awful). There were questions whether Fox's "X-Men: First Class" was box-office-worthy enough to earn a sequel with only $353 million worldwide, but clearly that was enough in their estimation. Similarly, "Prometheus" only earned $302 million worldwide off a reported $150 million dollar budget and the film only grossed $125 million domestically, but the studio obviously sees further potential for its story.
Over at Universal, with Seth MacFarlane's "Ted" a massive hit (likely to hit $200 million domestically by the end of the summer off a $50 million budget), a sequel seems to be a no-brainer so that could also be in the cards. A part two to "Snow White and the Huntsman" was in the cards as far as earlier this spring before the film was even released, and that still is the plan moving forward, but after the Kristen Stewart scandal don't expect director Rupert Sanders to be taking the helm (though he'll likely get a great EVP title, we're sure).
Though not one soul we know saw "American Reunion" with their own two eyes, the fourth official entry in the franchise (there's been a few others that went straight to DVD) hit the $233 million mark worldwide off a $50 million budget, so Universal hopes to keep that ship sailing. "The Bourne Legacy" is no sure thing, but if it does take off with audiences, Universal will move full steam ahead with its new Jeremy Renner-led offshot franchise, which opens up the conspiracy on a larger canvas.
Over at Sony, a part two for "The Amazing Spider-Man" is already in the works and a 4th "Men In Black" could be on the way, though its impressive $620 million dollar budget is hampered by its $230 million (or higher) budget and backend profits for Will Smith. Sony insists the film is profitable, but of course they're going to say that.
