‘RED’ Sequel Is a Go

In what isn’t necessarily a very surprising move, Summit Entertainment has announced a sequel for the star-packed “RED” is in the making. As of now, no names are attached to the cast, but work on the script is underway.

“RED,” which stands for “Retired, Extremely Dangerous,” was a surprising hit with audiences almost immediately upon release, despite the rather lukewarm reviews.

The original film, which told the story of ageing retired agents who get back into the game for one last mission, starred huge names like Dame Helen Mirren, Bruce Wills, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Mary Louise Parker.

Now that “RED” has crossed the $90 million mark at the international box office, Summit has given the sequel the go signal, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

“Summit has hired brothers Erich and Jon Hoeber, who wrote the script for the hit action movie, to return to the keyboard to pen a second installment,” THR says.

“A sequel is not greenlit at this stage, nor are there any deals with actors Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren and John Malkovich or director Robert Schwentke,” the same publication notes.

That is to say, Summit has agreed to have a script for the sequel done first – and will greenlight the sequel once it’s done, which will is almost a given at this point.

In fact, industry people are actually wondering it took the movie studio so long to talk sequels in the first place, since it was all in the numbers from the start.

“The movie, with a budget in the $60 million range, opened to $21 million in October and proved to have staying power, crossing the $90 million mark over the weekend,” THR says.

“It has made more than four times its opening, a rare feat in box-office performance, and its overperformance happily surprised Summit execs and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura. The movie also was nominated for best picture in the comedy / musical category at Sunday’s Golden Globes,” the e-zine points out.