EXCLUSIVE: Lionsgate has put in motion a sequel to The Last Witch Hunter, to star Vin Diesel in a reprise of his role as Kaulder, the immortal Witch Hunter. The film is being developed along with Diesel’s One Race Films and Lionsgate, with all parties eyeing a fast path to production. While a deal has not been finalized, Michael Caine is attached to reprise his role as Dolan in the new film.
The move goes with Lionsgate strategy to grow IP with staying power and sci-fi fantasy spectacle elements that can overperform in the ancillary markets and create long-term library value. The Last Witch Hunter, about the one man who stands between humanity and the most horrible witch covens imaginable, grossed $130 million at the worldwide box office at the time of its initial theatrical release in 2015. The pic has performed consistently in ancillary markets and re-emerged as a streaming hit this year; it ranks among the five most-viewed movies on Netflix. Advancements in technology since then should allow a sequel to be brought on a more efficient budget expenditure. The rest of the elements will be conjured up quickly.
Said Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group: “The Last Witch Hunter has grown since its theatrical release into a global fan favorite, with audiences continuing to discover and re-watch it across every platform over the past decade. That enduring enthusiasm made clear there is an appetite for more stories set in this world. Vin and I have partnered many times over the years, and he is a true force in our industry. I’m thrilled to be reuniting with him as he returns to this iconic role, and excited by how advancements in filmmaking technology now allow us to economically deliver a sequel on an even more ambitious scale.”
Source link
