{"id":38561,"date":"2018-07-24T10:18:03","date_gmt":"2018-07-24T09:18:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/?p=38561"},"modified":"2018-07-24T10:18:03","modified_gmt":"2018-07-24T09:18:03","slug":"modern-action-films-that-need-sequels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2018\/07\/modern-action-films-that-need-sequels\/","title":{"rendered":"Modern Action Films That Need Sequels"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/h4>\n

Modern action sequels have been in the news a lot lately. We just celebrated the 10th anniversary of \u2018The Dark Knight,\u2019 \u2018The Equalizer II\u2019 just hit theaters, and leaked video showed Keanu Reeves pulling a horseback stunt<\/a> in shooting for \u2018John Wick 3.\u2019 Frankly, it\u2019s a great thing that all of these films happened or are happening. \u2018The Dark Knight\u2019 is as good a superhero film and an action film as we\u2019ve seen this century, \u2018The Equalizer\u2019 appears to have spawned a perfectly respectable franchise, and the ‘John Wick’ movies are resetting how we think of modern shoot-em-ups. It\u2019s a pretty good time for the genre.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

But this, of course, just got us thinking about some other modern action movies that haven\u2019t gotten the same treatment, and which deserve sequels. These are a few that came to mind.<\/p>\n

\u2018Shoot-em-Up\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you didn\u2019t love this 2007 Clive Owen flick, I\u2019m not sure why you\u2019re reading about action movies. Owen plays the mysterious Mr. Smith, who becomes a reluctant hero when he saves a woman in distress and then delivers her freaking baby mid-shootout. It\u2019s intentionally absurd, but it sets the stage for one of the most entertaining, high-octane gunfire-based action films we\u2019ve seen in decades. Because action mattered more than plot (but in a stylized way that made this perfectly okay) it would be exceedingly easy to come up with a sequel for \u2018Shoot-em-Up.\u2019 Let\u2019s hope, particularly in light of the success of \u2018John Wick,\u2019 that Hollywood is on the case.<\/p>\n

\u2018Dredd\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

There always seem to be hints that this RoboCop-esque comic book-based thriller is resurfacing. A Canadian slot gaming site hosts a game based on \u201cMega City One\u2019s most infamous law enforcer<\/a>,\u201d but it\u2019s based on the comics rather than the 2012 action film. Lead actor Karl Urban has publicly lobbied for a sequel, but seemingly only on a streaming platform like Netflix or Amazon. Online games and rumors are nice, but we\u2019d like to see Urban back in his suit and on the big screen in the dark, forbidding, post-apocalyptic hellscape of Mega City One. This was a fascinating and unique movie that, because it was in part introductory in nature, could easily be spun into a trilogy.<\/p>\n

‘Mad Max: Fury Road’<\/strong><\/p>\n

This, hopefully, isn\u2019t just an idea. There is supposed to be a sequel to \u2018Mad Max: Fury Road,\u2019 which many rank as the best or most impressive action film of the 21st century so far. There are apparently two scripts, and Tom Hardy is attached to return as Max. However, writer and creator George Miller\u2019s studio is apparently suing Warner Bros. over unpaid bonuses<\/a>. That sounds a little bit nasty and seems to be throwing the sequel into some doubt. Then again, given that this is Miller\u2019s baby, we have to think he\u2019ll allow it to happen, and we\u2019ll all be back in the land of Mad Max soon enough.<\/p>\n

\u2018Atomic Blonde\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is another film that\u2019s had a sequel confirmed, though it\u2019s early enough in the process that we still feel a little bit of hesitancy to celebrate just yet. Long heralded as something of a female version of \u2018John Wick,\u2019 \u2018Atomic Blonde\u2019 was indeed a highly stylized, visually gorgeous action film. Charlize Theron\u2019s lead character was very different from John Wick, however, more of a spy than a shooter, and if anything she actually seems more suited to a series of different mysteries and incidents. This film will be getting a sequel, and we hope there\u2019s more than one.<\/p>\n

‘xXx: Return Of Xander Cage\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is almost certainly going to be the least popular choice on this list, because \u2018xXx: Return Of Xander Cage\u2019 was an objectively awful movie. However, Vin Diesel can sell an action flick, and the original \u2018xXx\u2019 was a ton of fun. \u2018Return Of Xander Cage\u2019 was actually the second failed sequel, after the follow-up \u2018xXx: State Of The Union\u2019 flopped without Diesel on board. But if we got yet another effort more focused on continuing the story from the original, and settling down a bit after the ludicrous nonsense of \u2018Return Of Xander Cage,\u2019 it might just surprise people. The original Xander Cage was a good enough action character to support another good movie or two.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Modern action sequels have been in the news a lot lately. We just celebrated the 10th anniversary of \u2018The Dark Knight,\u2019 \u2018The Equalizer II\u2019 just hit theaters, and leaked video showed Keanu Reeves pulling a horseback stunt in shooting for \u2018John Wick 3.\u2019 Frankly, it\u2019s a great thing that all of these films happened or are happening. \u2018The Dark Knight\u2019 is as good a superhero film and an action film as we\u2019ve seen this century, \u2018The Equalizer\u2019 appears to have spawned a perfectly respectable franchise, and the ‘John Wick’ movies are resetting how we think of modern shoot-em-ups. It\u2019s a pretty good time for the genre.<\/p>\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/path><\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":38562,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[10377,5200],"tags":[15614,140,15628,15629,15619,15621,15627,15615,15618,15624,8272,15625,15623,6595,15632,15622,15620,15633,15616,15617,15626,9504,15630,15631],"class_list":["post-38561","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","category-films","tag-action-films","tag-amazon","tag-atomic-blonde","tag-charlize-theron","tag-clive-owen","tag-dredd","tag-george-miller","tag-john-wick","tag-john-wick-3","tag-karl-urban","tag-keanu-reeves","tag-mad-max-fury-road","tag-mega-city-one","tag-netflix","tag-return-of-xander-cage","tag-robo-cop","tag-shoot-em-up","tag-state-of-the-union","tag-the-dark-knight","tag-the-equalizer-ii","tag-tom-hardy","tag-warner-bros","tag-xander-cage","tag-xxx"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/films.png?fit=1168%2C488&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5yMhl-a1X","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":61239,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2020\/04\/what-do-we-know-about-the-batman-movie-so-far\/","url_meta":{"origin":38561,"position":0},"title":"What Do We Know About The New Batman Movie So Far?","author":"Essentially Pop","date":"01\/04\/2020","format":false,"excerpt":"The Caped Crusader is back! The Batman is the first live-action film to centre around the masked crimefighter since 2012\u2019s The Dark Knight Rises. And fans of Gotham\u2019s number one superhero are starting to get excited as the first details of the film begin to emerge. Here\u2019s a look at\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Films"","block_context":{"text":"Films","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/films\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/E32779B5-8B42-4462-A73E-E22084F895B7.png?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/E32779B5-8B42-4462-A73E-E22084F895B7.png?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/E32779B5-8B42-4462-A73E-E22084F895B7.png?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/E32779B5-8B42-4462-A73E-E22084F895B7.png?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":60205,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2020\/02\/4-things-to-hope-for-in-the-future-marvel-cinematic-universe\/","url_meta":{"origin":38561,"position":1},"title":"4 Things To Hope For In The Future Marvel Cinematic Universe","author":"Essentially Pop","date":"25\/02\/2020","format":false,"excerpt":"There are certainly some big changes coming to the MCU. Here are some of the most exciting and nerve-wracking changes to come to the MCU in 2020 and beyond.","rel":"","context":"In "Editorial"","block_context":{"text":"Editorial","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/editorial\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/marvel.png?fit=1200%2C645&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/marvel.png?fit=1200%2C645&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/marvel.png?fit=1200%2C645&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/marvel.png?fit=1200%2C645&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/marvel.png?fit=1200%2C645&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":71928,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2021\/10\/no-time-to-die-cements-daniel-craigs-bond-legacy\/","url_meta":{"origin":38561,"position":2},"title":"‘No Time To Die’ Cements Daniel Craig’s Bond Legacy","author":"Liam Hafey","date":"20\/10\/2021","format":false,"excerpt":"If you\u2019re looking for a well-made, thrillingly tense, and surprisingly emotional action film, No Time to Die will more than satisfy you.","rel":"","context":"In "Films"","block_context":{"text":"Films","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/films\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/No-Time-to-Die-10-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/No-Time-to-Die-10-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/No-Time-to-Die-10-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/No-Time-to-Die-10-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/No-Time-to-Die-10-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":68831,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2021\/04\/flying-fish-and-entertainment-film-distributors-announce-start-of-shoot-fishermans-friends-2-film-marks-cinematic-debut-of-irish-music-legend-imelda-may\/","url_meta":{"origin":38561,"position":3},"title":"Flying Fish And Entertainment Film Distributors Announce Start of Shoot FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS 2. Film Marks Cinematic Debut Of Irish Music Legend Imelda May","author":"Essentially Pop","date":"16\/04\/2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Flying Fish and Entertainment Film Distributors have announced that principal photography has commenced in Cornwall on FISHERMAN\u2019S FRIENDS 2. The film reunites the original's creative team, Meg Leonard and Nick Moorcroft, as they co-direct from their screenplay co-written with Piers Ashworth. The film is the sequel to the UK box-office\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Films"","block_context":{"text":"Films","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/films\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Fishermans-Friends-2.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Fishermans-Friends-2.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Fishermans-Friends-2.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Fishermans-Friends-2.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Fishermans-Friends-2.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":57422,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2019\/11\/josh-whitehouse-releases-single-before-christmas-from-new-netflix-film-the-knight-before-christmas\/","url_meta":{"origin":38561,"position":4},"title":"Josh Whitehouse Releases Single ‘Before Christmas’ From New Netflix Film ‘The Knight Before Christmas’","author":"Essentially Pop","date":"22\/11\/2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Before Christmas is the latest release by British musician-come-actor Josh Whitehouse for the Netflix film, 'The Knight Before Christmas'.","rel":"","context":"In "Entertainment"","block_context":{"text":"Entertainment","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/entertainment\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/the-knight-before-christmas.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/the-knight-before-christmas.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/the-knight-before-christmas.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/the-knight-before-christmas.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/the-knight-before-christmas.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":41705,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2018\/10\/mandy-starring-nicolas-cage-blu-ray-dvd-digital-download-october-29\/","url_meta":{"origin":38561,"position":5},"title":"MANDY Starring Nicolas Cage \/\/ Blu-Ray, DVD, Digital Download \/\/ October 29","author":"Essentially Pop","date":"23\/10\/2018","format":false,"excerpt":"'Mandy', starring Nicolas Cage and Andrea Riseborough, and directed by Panos Cosmatos, is out on Blu-Ray, DVD, Digital Download and Limited-Edition VHS Blu-Ray on October 29.","rel":"","context":"In "Films"","block_context":{"text":"Films","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/films\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/MANDY-NewStill8-700x410.png?fit=700%2C410&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/MANDY-NewStill8-700x410.png?fit=700%2C410&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/MANDY-NewStill8-700x410.png?fit=700%2C410&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/MANDY-NewStill8-700x410.png?fit=700%2C410&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38561","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38561"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38561\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38562"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38561"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38561"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38561"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}