When you’ve been covering movie news as long as I have, you learn not to get too excited about “potential sequel” news. Studios always float out this idea of a possible franchise even before the first movie is released — that means prequels, sequels, etc. Here’s the truth: it means nothing.
Studios, actors, directors, and caterers always go into a movie thinking they might have a possible franchise on their hands, especially if the movie fits into the genre mode, which “Pandorum” certainly does. So of course I was not surprise to run across this interview with “Pandorum” star Dennis Quaid over at Arrow in the Head. Quaid mentions not just a possible sequel, but prequel as well:
“Well, if the movie connects with audiences… if it does well, there is actually. There is a prequel and a sequel. The thing about PANDORUM is there is a mythology that goes along with it that is in some ways, very similar to how Joseph Campbell and his mythology was imprinted on STAR WARS. There is mythology that goes with Pandorum as well. Hopefully we’ll get to do it, that would be great.”
Before you know it, you’ll start hearing websites “reporting” the shocking — shocking! — news that the actors “have been already signed [for this amount of movies]“. It happens with every genre movie, comic book movie, and would-be franchise. Here’s the deal: just because they “signed” on for more than one movie, it doesn’t mean squat; they can always re-negotiate, or decide not to come back. Signing on for more than one movie in Hollywood is like an athlete signing for an X amount of years with a team; it means squat, they don’t have to come to work if they don’t want to.
But hey, it sounds good: “Our movie is so good, the star has signed on for 20 sequels!” It gets people thinking, “Wow, this movie must really is good if so-and-so has already signed on for 20 sequels!” Or, more likely, “Wow, this movie must be really good if they’re already planning a sequel!” You get the idea.
And chances are, if a sequel does emerge, it’ll probably go straight to DVD. That’s the trend nowadays for moderate hits. If, that is, “Pandorum” even reaches that level. Sci-fi films just don’t do all that well in theaters anymore, which is a shame but there you have it.
Cung Le is ready for a sequel, even if he has to spear it to death.
