Lionsgate has decided to give a second chance to the failed fantasy action movie with Vin Diesel.
Lionsgate has officially launched the production of the sequel to the fantasy action movie "The Last Witch Hunter" — exactly ten years after the release of the original film. Vin Diesel will reprise the main role, and his production company One Race Films will handle the production. Michael Caine is also expected to return as Dolan, but his participation has not yet been confirmed by contract.
The first part was released in 2015 and was met with a cool reception: only 18% "freshness" on Rotten Tomatoes and 44% from viewers. The budget was about $90 million, and the box office was from $130 to $147 million, depending on the source. Against the background of such a result, it seemed that the franchise was a thing of the past.
However, over time, "The Last Witch Hunter" unexpectedly gained popularity on streaming services. This year, the film entered the top five most-watched films on Netflix — and this, according to sources, was the key factor for launching the sequel.
According to Adam Fogelson, head of Lionsgate's film division, the film "has become a public favorite around the world" and demonstrates "sustained audience interest" on digital platforms.
"Vin and I have been working together for a long time, and he is a truly important figure for our industry. We are happy to work together again and believe that modern technologies will allow us to make the sequel more ambitious and at the same time economical."
The project is currently in the early stages of development, but the studio plans to start filming as soon as possible. Plot details have not yet been disclosed, but Lionsgate is confident that the potential of the world of witch hunters has not yet been exhausted.
