You can always tell what the newest buzzwords around Hollywood are based on what films get greenlit. After “Bohemian Rhapsody,” won Oscars and earned nearly $1 billion at the box office, you saw a bunch of “rock biopics” getting put into production. Now, with Marvel Studios showing just how profitable a “cinematic universe” can be with its MCU, every studio is aching for the latest franchise that can form one huge universe. Netflix thinks they found one of those with “Extraction.” And director Sam Hargrave agrees.
Speaking to Collider, “Extraction” filmmaker Sam Hargrave talked about his massive hit action film that was released on Netflix last year, and what the future might hold for the franchise. We already know that Netflix is hoping for a sequel to the original film, but recent reports show that the streamer is hoping that spinoffs and sequels can help form a new cinematic universe.
READ MORE: Joe Russo Explains Plan For “A Universe Of Films” In The ‘Extraction’ Franchise
But before we put the “universe” tag on a franchise, there first needs to be a successful sequel. And as Hargrave explained, “Extraction 2” is hoping to begin production this fall with a 2022 release date eyed.
“[That’s] still the case, COVID-pending,” said Hargrave. “That’s kind of everyone’s little caveat right now, but we’re moving forward on it as if we’re shooting in the fall. Joe [Russo] is still finalizing the script. We’re all excited to read it. I’ve read different iterations, but I’m excited to read what he turns in. We’re all looking forward to getting back in the saddle and hopefully bringing another action-packed adventure in the ‘Extraction’ universe.”
“Extraction” stars Chris Hemsworth in the lead role as a badass mercenary that has the ability to just destroy everything in his path to fulfill a mission. But he’s not the only star. In fact, the next biggest name in the cast might actually be David Harbour, of “Stranger Things” fame, who only shows up for a glorified cameo, but the character hints at a greater story in the future. Potentially, at least. And Hargrave believes this sort of universe-building is exactly what makes “Extraction” the type of franchise that could become a much larger world.
“I think Joe and Anthony [Russo], that whole AGBO team, are brilliant in that building upon the Marvel universe aspect where a lot of these films connect and intersect in their journeys with characters,” Hargrave said. “They’re building on that model in the ‘Extraction’ universe and there is a lot of opportunity to follow characters that people have shown an affinity for and sounds like they want to know more about.”
He’s not wrong, is he? What better collaborators than the guys who brought the world “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame” to help create another cinematic universe? We’ll just have to wait and see if they succeed with “Extraction.”