As long as the profits keep rollin' in, no movie studio exec is ever going to say, "We have enough of those movies, lets try something new." And so it goes with superhero films, you will always expect to hear rumors of a sequel, regardless of the previous pictures performance. Here are the likely sequels, prequels, and reboots that we will see in the next 5 years.
Iron Man 3
Likelihood: Extreme
Why its likely: When it comes to superhero box office coinage, iron is the new gold standard. Iron Man 1 was huge, Iron Man 2 is hugely anticipated, and movie studios love trilogies. There is already talk of what is being saved for the 3rd Iron Man movie, so barring the apocalypse, its coming.
Spider-Man 5
Likelihood: High
Why its likely: Tobey Mcguire signed a two-movie extension on his contract making him available for a Spidey 5. Spidey 3 was a low point for the franchise, but if #4 manages a bounce back 5 will be in the bag. Actually, as long as #4 is even moderately successful, There will be a Spider-Man 5. Let's hope that there are still some decent villains around. I would prefer that they not scrape the bottom of the barrel to give us Spidey vs the
Kangaroo.
X-Men Origins: Magneto
Likelihood: Below average
Why its not so likely: The best thing a Magneto movie would have going for it is Ian Mckellen who most likely would not be in this prequel. Besides, there are plenty of mutants out there, and the X-Men will probably always bring in an audience, but I think people would rather see more new mutants on screen than an origin of a villain set as a period piece, especially a holocaust drama. Sure, there is a script for it, so Fox has been mulling it over, but if they were certain about this movie, it would be further along in production. If X-Men Origins" Wolverine makes a billion dollars, that could help this one get a greenlight, then again, it would probably just assure a more bankable Wolverine Origins 2: The In Between Years.
X-Men: First Class
Likelihood: Better than average
Why its likely: This is seeming more and more like the direction Fox wants to take the X-Men franchise. It allows them to reuse popular mutants (sans the now solo Wolverine) without rebooting. They also seem keen on upping the teen factor (why not just call it 9-0-2-1-X) which would be easier to do with an X-Team origin than a Magneto one.
ScreenRant.com just ran an interesting column speculating that this team would include Beast, Cyclops, Emma Frost, Jean Grey, and Storm though not Gambit. Also not likely to appear in the movie would be Ice-Man, Rogue, Angel, Colossus, Shadowcat, or Nightcrawler due to their roles in the previous X-Films. So who else might appear? Let me suggest Havok, Psylocke, Forge, or perhaps Polaris.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine 2 (or Wolverine Origins 2: Deadpool)
Likelihood: Better than average
Why its looking likely: Wolverine is going to make money and Fox never says "no" to more of an even marginally profitable series (see Elektra). The fact is, taking Wolverine to the Land of the Rising Sun just might inject some freshness into the franchise. As for Deadpool, I think people paid to see him in Wolverine-even if he wasnt really in it-and will probably pay to see him again considering he would probably actually be in a movie of his own. Hopefully they can come up with better titles than I did.
Hancock 2
Likelihood: High
Why its likely: Hancock made a lot of money and people love Will Smith. If he signs for an MiiiB (Men in Black 3) I can't see what would stop him from making a sequel to this.
Daredevil Reboot
Likelihood: So-So
Why its not so likely: There has been chatter lately of a new stab at Daredevil, and even though I probably enjoyed the first more than most, I don't sense a high demand for more. Sure, replacing Ben Affleck would be a start, but what else could get people excited for take 2? If it gets made, it will mainly be to renew Fox's license on the character so it doesn't revert back to Marvel Studios. What a noble cause. Maybe they will opt instead for Daredevil Origins: Bullseye.
Superman Reboot
Likelihood: Who knows
Why it should be likely: Its freaking Superman. Everyone knows who he is and loves the guy, if done right. And that's the problem. The folks at WB have no idea how to package him in a way that will be popular. Then again, his profit potential is too big to pass up and I am sure another Superman will get made eventually. Whatever happens, I expect the next Superman movie will have a lot more punching and a lot less moping.
Silver Surfer
Likelihood: Mild
Why it is not likely: If Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer had been a hit, this would be a no brainer, but I doubt the studio folk believe a spin-off of a mildly received, mildly profitable film would do too well. Furthermore, the most maligned aspect of Fan 4: 2 was the whole Galactus storm cloud SNAFU. An entire movie focused on a storm cloud probably belongs on the weather channel more than in theaters (or in Star Trek), and sadly, the Silver Surfer (the best aspect of Fan 4: 2) may have to wait a while before returning to the big screen.
Fantastic Four Reboot
Likelihood: Not for a while
Why it may be a while: I don't think many would argue that the Fantastic Four movies could have been better. Then again the characters have a big following and The Incredibles demonstrates the successful execution of a similar concept. Superman Returns takes a lot of flack for its lack of action, but Fan 4: 2s biggest action moment featured the Four versus a giant Ferris wheel. Fan 4: 1 had a major action sequence of the Four versus a fire truck. In both Dr. Doom was castrated. This series deserves a second chance, but we are going to have to wait for the bad taste to go away first.
Ghost Rider 2
Likelihood: Possible
Why it just may happen: Nicolas Cage will do anything (Next, Knowing, The Wicker Man, Ghost Rider 1) and he seems excited to return to Ghost Rider. The movie was panned and still performed OK, and there is just something about the visual of a flaming motorcycle ridden by a flaming skull. Ghost Rider also set records for a February opening weekend so there may be a financial justification for a sequel. I actually think that this could be a good avenue for some of the Marvel monsters like Morbius, and I would be curious about another installment if they kept the Cage to a minimum.
Spawn Reboot
Likelihood: Likely
Why it might happen: Creator Todd MacFarlane loves pimping his stuff and Spawn is pretty well known and the first film was a Hellboy sized success (and hey Hellboy got a sequel). It sounds like, depending on who he licenses the character to, he may get to direct. Not that its the best idea, but like Frank Miller (see the Spirit), these comic book artists can't resist the chance to direct a movie. The previous Spawn movie was not so great, but with that as the bar, makers of the reboot have to feel good about a better second attempt.
Well that's all folks, I think we are all caught up on what is and may be coming soon to a theater near you.
