Could A ‘Wanted’ Sequel Happen In The Screenlife Format? Director Timur Bekmambetov Hopes So
By Ben Pearson/June 9, 2020 4:30 pm EST
Timur Bekmambetov, the director of Wanted and the producer of films like Searching and Unfriended, now suggests that a Wanted sequel could be made using that same Screenlife technology utilized for his recent films. Read his comments below.
Screenlife, the “everything plays out on laptop and/or phone screens” conceit that we’ve seen in several movies at this point (used most creatively thus far in 2018’s Searching), seems to be here to stay. According to Deadline, Bekmambetov, the producer behind this technology, has just signed a deal with Universal to make five more movies shot in that format. It isn’t clear if these five films are part of the slate of fourteen he was developing a couple of years ago or if these are five fresh projects, but either way, it’s clear that Universal thinks there’s a big upside to this type of on-the-cheap production.
When the topic of a Wanted sequel came up again, the producer suggested that Wanted 2 could be made using that same screens-only cinematic approach:
“Maybe do the sequel in Screenlife. I cannot imagine an assassin in today’s world would run with a gun. Why? He will use drones, he will use computer technology, probably. You don’t need to bend bullets anymore. You need to bend ideas.”
It’s unclear if Bekmambetov was just spitballing or if he has actually put significant thought into developing a sequel in this format, but it would certainly mark a huge aesthetic change for the franchise. And if it actually happens and it’s financially successful, it could open the door for unconventional sequels to other movies. I’d be all for that – especially since studios are more likely to take a chance on rookie filmmakers, and if those directors can establish themselves with a smart, creative take on a piece of popular IP, it’d be a great way to move up in the industry.
