While most people are focused, to an unhealthy degree, on Paul Feig's upcoming Ghostbusters reboot, the director has other things he's also working on. One of which is a follow-up to his hit Spy. The Melissa McCarthy-led film was an unqualified success, but what many fans really enjoyed about Spy was the comic turn by action star Jason Statham. Those fans will be happy to hear that Feig has a lot planned for the actor in an upcoming Spy 2.
It's hardly shocking that there was interest in making a Spy 2. The first film grossed over $200 million around the world and was also loved by critics almost universally, something that doesn't usually happen for Melissa McCarthy starring vehicles. Fans of the original film may not need to wait too long for a sequel, however. Director Paul Feig tells Empire that he's not simply interested in making a follow-up, he actually has a story in mind for it, one that won't just bring back McCarthy, but Jason Statham as well.
That's another world that I don't want to walk away from. It's the first thing I did that I set up to be a possible franchise and Melissa is dying to do it. I have a story for it, and a funny idea that will kick it off that involves Statham. ... Susan Cooper is one of my favorite characters I've ever come up with, but Rick Ford is possibly the one I'll take to the grave with me. Will he get any more self-aware in the sequel? No, god no. He'll get less self-aware.
Jason Statham's character of Rick Ford was something of a parody of many of the roles we've grown used to seeing Jason Statham play. He was a spy, but, he was also an idiot. This change in character for the action-focused actor was the cause for a great deal of the laughs that Spy provided.
We're certainly on board for as much more Rick Ford as we can get. As Jason Statham has gone back to focusing on action films, like the Fast & Furious franchise, since Spy, then it appears we'll need a sequel if we want to see him to more comedy.
Are you excited by the prospect of Spy 2? Since Paul Feig says he set this one up to be a possible franchise, we could see even more of them if they continue to be successful. Let us know in the comments.
