Although he was officially credited as writer and producer, Ex Machina and Annihilation’s Alex Garland was heavily involved with production on 2012’s 2000 AD adaptation Dredd and took over the editing process after creative differences with credited director Pete Travis.
His involvement was so significant in fact that actor Karl Urban stated last year that “a huge part of the success of Dredd is in fact due to Alex Garland and what a lot of people don’t realize is that Alex Garland actually directed that movie”. However, it seems its an experience Garland is in no rush to repeat, as the filmmaker has revealed to Screen Geek that he has no interest in returning to the franchise for a potential sequel.
“It was a pretty crude experience, for a bunch of reasons,” said Garland, who was promoting his new series Devs at the New York Comic Con. “At the end of it, I didn’t want to go back. I love Dredd, by which I mean I love the character, but I”m not in any hurry to do that again.”
SEE ALSO: Alex Garland’s Devs gets a first teaser trailer and new images
Dredd wasn’t successful at the box office, but despite its production troubles the movie quickly developed a loyal and dedicated fan base who have lobbied hard for a sequel. At this point it seems highly unlikely given that 2000 AD owners Rebellion are developing a live-action TV series entitled Judge Dredd: Mega-City One, although both Rebellion and Karl Urban have indicated that they’re open to the possibility of him reprising his role as the Lawman of the Future.
Originally published October 19, 2019. Updated October 20, 2019.
