Some of the best news this month is coming right out of the European Film Market where deals are being made and casting is underway for numerous projects, developing or otherwise – namely the long awaited Den Of Thieves 2: Pantera, the long-awiated sequel to the inaugural hit 2018 heist thriller which starred Gerard Butler, Pablo Schreiber, O’Shea Jackson Jr. and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. The sequel was greeinlit a month after the film’s release with an official title etched in the following year.
Christian Gudegast is returning to direct the sequel from his own script, with Deadline‘s Andreas Wiseman reporting the return of Jackson Jr. to his role from the first film opposite Butler, and confirming the return of actress Meadow Williams along with the addition of actor Swen Temmel (After), with Jackson also returning this time to produce. The plan is to commence principal photography late Spring in Serbia and France.
Butler returns as Big Nick (Butler), this time on the hunt in Europe for Donnie (Jackson Jr.) who is embroiled in the dangerous world of diamond thieves and the infamous Panther mafia as they plot a massive heist of the world’s biggest diamond exchange.
Gudegast also reportedly researched for the new film by “spending time with notorious thieves and the investigators that hunt them” as Wiseman also notes…
I mean, that’s dedication for you. I’m especially glad that this sequel wasn’t rushed, as it means we could get a possibly better follow-up that could top the first film – and the first definitely raised the bar some. Smooth cinematography, taut storytelling and drama, raw characterization all coinciding with the kind of vérité that Gudegast goes for in his style…it truly is worth owning if you don’t already have a copy on DVD or Blu-Ray or Digital. It’s great stuff!
Butler will also produce the sequel in reuinion with Tucker Tooley and Alan Siegel, next to Diamond Film Productions whose Williams will exec produce next to Temmel, and with Glenn Feig.
Sierra/Affinity is repping the film at the upcoming virtual EFM for buyers with some deals reportedly already in place, with other territories including U.S. still TBA.