What the hell is going on over at Universal? I’ve only just reported that they seem to be in a bit of a crisis following a series of flops and now it’s emerged they’re working on a sequel that I think it’s fairly to say nobody but Rowan Atkinson has that much interest in seeing. Variety reports that Universal and Working Title are speeding a Johnny English sequel into production, which could start lensing as early as August.
As with Atkinson’s Bean flicks, while Johnny English flopped in the US, it did okay in other countries, which seems to be why they think it’s worth making another one. This is despite the bumbling spy comedy not being very good, and the fact that in the past seven years nearly everybody has forgotten that it existed.
There’s no news on the plot, but Oliver Parker (St. Trinian’s) is onboard to direct, and the script will be handled by Hamish McColl (Mr. Bean’s Holiday).
It’s more proof that after being stung by the likes of Public Enemies and Green Zone, Universal is moving away from adult dramas and towards safer, cheaper comedies (Johnny English 2 is likely to have a budget in the $40 million range), but the choices they’re making still seem slightly desparate. That said, with numerous Universal projects stalling, getting delayed or being cancelled, they were in danger of have little to release next year, so revving up a Johnny English sequel may be better than nothing.