The 2008 action thriller, Wanted, was an instant hit upon release. It was loosely based on the comic book of the same name from Mark Millar and J.G. Jones, a limited series that only ran for a total of six issues. Released in the same year as the first Iron Man, Wanted was a film that helped usher in a new age of comic book movies. A tone for larger-than-life, action-packed storytelling was set towards the end of the decade.

Wanted presented an underdog protagonist in James McAvoy’s Wesley Gibson, a frustrated young office worker who suffered from panic attacks and a cruel boss. He got his wish for a new life when Fox (Angelina Jolie) recruited him into the Fraternity, a secret order of assassins of which his father was a part. The film received recognition for its stylish action sequences and was a box office success. However, despite a sequel being planned, it ultimately never materialized. Here are some of the reasons why Wanted 2 has still yet to happen.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

A Sequel Was Always Planned

     Universal Pictures

Before Wanted was even released, the writer of the film’s comic book source material, Mark Millar, announced that there were plans to make a sequel (per IGN). At San Diego Comic Con 2008, Millar shared excitement over his creative involvement. He worked with the film’s producers to craft the story of the sequel. Wanted 2 was announced within a month of the release of the first film. Because Wanted had already covered the entire storyline of the comics, the sequel was planned to feature a brand new story. There was much unexplored narrative ground about the assassins.

Development Purgatory

Chris Morgan, who was one of the three writers on the first Wanted film, confirmed in 2008 that he was set to write the sequel. In April 2009, however, Evan Spiliotopoulos had replaced him as the primary scriptwriter. Morgan remained as a creative consultant and for possible rewrites, but was too busy with commitments to other projects, such as the Gears of War film that also was never made. Indeed, Morgan went on to write many films in the Fast & Furious franchise.

Returning from the first film, director Timur Bekmambetov announced in June 2009 that pre-production for the sequel was underway. Wanted 2 was set to shoot in the United States, India, and Russia during that year’s late fall or winter season. Production on Wanted 2 did not begin in 2009, however, and entered development purgatory. Bekambetov then refocused his time on other films, including 2012’s Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

In 2011, McAvoy told IGN that while he and the studio were “keen” on making a sequel, it could only be made if and when it was right. He also acknowledged that “that might not be ever.” Eventually, Universal tasked returning writers Michael Brandt and Derek Haas with writing Wanted 2. The script featured a young, world-weary woman as the new protagonist, similar to Wesley before he met Fox. Wesley was four years older and recruited the woman much in the same way Fox had recruited him. Nonetheless, development eventually stalled once again.

The Departure of Angelina Jolie

At the end of Wanted, Fox fired a curved bullet that killed a large number of assassins as well as herself. Although Jolie’s character met her end, she was originally meant to return in the film’s sequel. Fox was planned to be one of the characters that were resurrected, in a list that also included The Exterminator. Jolie spoke to Coming Soon about her disinterest in returning to the planned franchise.

It was interesting how Jolie compared Fox to the role of CIA operative Evelyn Salt. Salt was another well-received film in which Jolie played an action hero that never got a sequel. As Fox was struck in the head and killed by her own bullet, how exactly the character would have been resurrected has remained unknown. The healing baths used by the assassins in Wanted were to treat injuries, not to bring the dead back to life. The bullet Fox fired had “GOODBYE” engraved on it. Resurrecting Fox for Wanted 2 was a decision that would have weakened the finale of the first film. Fox was the character that rescued, trained, and helped shape Wesley become the person he was meant to be. The studio understood the importance of the character and the box office draw of Jolie. With the actress not returning for Wanted 2, it is likely that the film was seen as more of a risk.

Being dead makes it difficult. They were (trying to bring me back) but I kind of feel like if I die in a movie, I should die actually. I’m that way, and that character is not as complex as Salt. It would just be doing the exact same thing in another movie, so it’s not that interesting to me.

No Screenplay Yet That Universal is Happy With

A script has often proved to be what makes or breaks a film. When hundreds of millions of dollars are invested, with thousands of people working to make the best film possible, a studio has to first approve of the script in their hands. In an interview with Inside Movies, McAvoy interpreted the long time it was taking to get Wanted 2 made as the studio “not finding it very easy to come up with a story that they’re passionate about.” While promoting X-Men: Days of Future Past, McAvoy shared with Flicks and the City that he had read several versions of new scripts. Universal, however, has yet to find one they are fond of enough to fast track development of Wanted 2.