Netflix took a huge gamble on Red Notice, the streamer stumping up some $200 million on the Rawson Marshall Thurber-directed heist caper after Universal got cold feet on the spiralling costs for the film, which included nice $20 million paydays for its stars Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot.
Nevertheless, despite a mixed critical response, the film proved hugely successful for Netflix, smashing viewership records left, right and centre and dethroning Bird Box as the streamer’s most watched original movie of all time. As such, it won’t come as much of a surprise to hear that Netflix is now looking to build a franchise around the film and has already given the green light to two sequels, which are intended to shoot back-to-back.
As revealed by Deadline, Thurber has started the writing process on the sequels, which will see the return of Johnson, Reynolds and Gadot whilst introducing new characters to flesh out an Ocean’s Eleven-style ensemble. Netflix is eyeing an early 2023 production start date, depending on talent deals and scheduling.
SEE ALSO: Read our review of Red Notice here
What did you make of Red Notice? Are you excited at the prospect of (at least) two more instalments? Let us know on our social channels @FlickeringMyth…
When an Interpol-issued Red Notice — the highest level warrant to hunt and capture the world’s most wanted— goes out, the FBI’s top profiler John Hartley (Dwayne Johnson) is on the case. His global pursuit finds him smack dab in the middle of a daring heist where he’s forced to partner with the world’s greatest art thief Nolan Booth (Ryan Reynolds) in order to catch the world’s most wanted art thief, “The Bishop” (Gal Gadot). The high-flying adventure that ensues takes the trio around the world, across the dance floor, trapped in a secluded prison, into the jungle and, worst of all for them, constantly into each other’s company.
Red Notice is available to stream now on Netflix.