Ruben Fleischer‘s “Zombieland” was not really on the mainstream radar by the time it was released in the fall of 2009, but the horror comedy road movie was a huge sleeper hit that year, grossing a respectable $75 million domestically and $102.3 million worldwide off a then-scant $24 million budget.
The film’s reputation then significantly raised even higher on home video, where it gained cult-classic-like status among moviegoers. This success also contributed in launching the careers of its two young leading actors (Emma Stone, Jesse Eisenberg) and paving the way for an ensuing, and very much welcome renaissance of Woody Harrellson‘s career. A sequel was touted soon after but never materialized. But apparently, enough time has passed that audiences are now nostalgic for the property.
According to THR, “Zombieland 2” is indeed being fast-tracked into production, almost a decade after its release. The main cast will all be back — including Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg and Abigail Breslin — for this much-anticipated sequel. Also returning are director Ruben Fleischer and the original writing team of Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese, who also owe their ensuing success to the movie. Fleischer is directing the upcoming and highly anticipated “Venom,” with Tom Hardy, and Wernick/Reese are currently enjoying blockbuster success as the writers of the “Deadpool” franchise.
“This is one of those projects that fans have wanted to see happen for a long time – and no one wanted to see it happen more than Emma, Woody, Jesse, and Abigail,” said Columbia Pictures president Sanford Panitch in a statement. “These are some of the most in-demand actors, and I think they are making this movie because they love these characters. We are thrilled Ruben was willing to come back to direct the sequel, as his work on ‘Venom’ has been truly amazing.”
It’s always a risky proposition making a sequel to a cult movie. The whole point of cult-success is that it feels like a lightning-in-a-bottle moment. If the sequel doesn’t succeed, the result could easily knock down the integrity of the original movie. For example, after years of desperately pining for a sequel to “Anchorman,” are we happy that “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” happened? With all that being said, why would you not be excited to see the original cast back in “Zombieland 2”? Just pray lightning can strike twice again.