A commercial success but a critical dud, David Ayer’s Netflix film, Bright, attempted to blend fantasy and inner city strife in a way that felt fresh, exciting, and socially conscious. Responses to the film and its ideas were mixed. Many critics lamented a missed opportunity, but the general consensus among casual Netflix viewers was that the film did a solid job conveying its themes and building its world. Just days after its heavily-hyped release, it became one of Netflix’s most popular movies ever. The insane number of viewers it pulled in, coupled with the positive response from audiences, encouraged Netflix to order a sequel (although that sequel was already pretty much guaranteed at that point). Sure enough, an official confirmation found its way onto the internet, and Bright 2 was a certainty.
Now, though, Comicbook.com brings word that Will Smith’s packed schedule has slowed, maybe even temporarily stopped, Bright 2‘s production. Smith’s co-star, Lucy Fry, told writer Charlie Ridgely that the original plan was to shoot the follow-up this year. Obviously, that did not happen, and Fry was quick to explain why.
When asked about when we can expect updates, she said:
With Gemini Man hitting theaters soon, Will Smith is already busy enough as it is. He is also set to voice super spy Lance Sterling in December’s animated film Spies in Disguise. Between these projects, Aladdin, and everything else he has going on, Smith probably doesn’t have Bright 2 on his mind just yet.
It sounds like Lucy Fry isn’t even sure the sequel will happen at all. She knows little and her wording loosely suggests that the production could be cancelled at any point. While we hope that doesn’t happen, we would rather Will Smith continue to work on solid projects rather than just phone in performances because he is contractually obligated to appear in certain films.
Now, on to what we do know: Screenwriter Max Landis penned the first film but will not be involved with its sequel. Instead, Beauty and the Beast co-writer Evan Spiliotopoulos will help write the script. Spiliotopoulos also wrote 2014’s Hercules, The Huntsman: Winter’s War, and direct-to-video Disney films such as Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure and The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning. David Ayer will return to direct.
Are you disappointed that Bright 2 won’t release for a while or are you indifferent? What did you think of the original? Sound off in the comments below!