Taken 2 cost only $45 million to make and in just four days has already made a domestic total of $55 million (not to mention its international take of $67 million). Therefore, this news should come as a surprise to absolutely nobody.
Hollywood.com had the opportunity to speak with producer Robert Mark Kamen, who produced both Taken and Taken 2, and he confirmed that the big box office take for the sequel has convinced the filmmakers behind it to make a part three. "We didn't start talking about [Taken 3] until we saw the numbers," Kamen said. "But then we said, 'Oh, okay. I think we should do a third one.' And Fox wants us to do a third one." For fans who are concerned that the third movie will just be a rehash of the first two with new people being taken, the producer promises that won't be the case. Said Kamen, "We've taken everyone we can take — it's going to go in another direction. Should be interesting." This is a similar situation to the one faced by The Hangover franchise, which will not be featuring a wedding or a bachelor party in its second sequel, but instead have the wolf pack going on a road trip.
It's worth noting that prior to the big opening weekend both star Liam Neeson and director Olivier Megaton said that they didn't think a third Taken would be made. When Neeson was asked if Taken 2 would be the last Bryan Mills story he said, ""I think so. Unless Maggie [Grace] takes over and once in a while she calls me." Said Megaton about a possible Taken 3, "We want to work with Liam again on another movie, and the priority is to do something else, another movie. I don't think that it will go on for Taken 3, I don't see the point."
If the sequel is in fact happening, what direction would you like to see the franchise go? If nobody from his family is being taken, maybe he gets called in by the CIA for a special mission? It sounds generic, sure, but its the exact kind of stuff that Luc Besson loves to write. Feel free to pitch your own suggestions in the comments section.
