Yes, Wanted 2 is still happening. It's true we haven't heard much about the sequel to Universal Pictures' surprise action hit from back in 2008, the big-screen adaptation of Mark Millar's limited series comic about a secret organization of bullet-bending assassins starring James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman, but the project is alive and there are new details to offer.
Two of the writers behind the original, Michael Brandt and Derek Haas, were initially hired to to pen the sequel, but due to creative differences with Universal and director Timur Bekmambetov, they peacefully parted ways. Until, that is, the studio practically begged to take them back last year.
In an interview with Hollywood.com about his new book, Haas explained what happened:
"We got that call that you always love as a screenwriter. 'Can you guys please come back?' We loved the world. That experience was great. We said, 'Well here's what we want to do with the sequel.' And they said, 'Okay.'"
Haas says the new story, which the writers are almost ready to turn in, does not include Jolie's character Fox, who committed one of the most creative suicides ever committed to film. It will instead feature a younger female character.
"The only thing I can tell you is that Wesley (McAvoy) is now, four years later, recruiting a young woman who is in his situation in the first movie. She's got a shitty life. He's sort of in the Fox role. This new girl is brought into the world."
Sounds like a pretty typical student-becomes-teacher sequel, but at least Haas and Brandt will get their way as opposed to Universal dictating the context of the story. Hopefully a few years will make all the difference between a mediocre sequel and a good one.
