And now, hammering the last nail in the coffin is news we can pretty much file in the “No s#!+” category is the word from Charles Webb at MTV Geek according to producer Adi Shankar that the sequel to the 2012 cult fan favorite smash, Dredd 3D is invariably dead. The news comes as several independent filmmakers are making efforts to perform their own take on the vision from Alex Garland and Pete Travis shared in their film released last year from independent company, DNA, and distributed by Lionsgate, starring actor Karl Urban in the title role of the futuristic law enforcer alongside actress Olivia Thirby and the film’s villainous femme fatale played by Lena Heady.
Adi Shankar explains:
It’s because the movie totally bombed & R-rated movies are a tough sell to begin with.
But I am working on a Dredd short in the vein of #DirtyLaundry … you’re actually the first person to know about this …
If DREDD becomes a cult hit it will be awesome. Last September was a terrible month … DREDD bombed and then LOOPER became a massive hit a week later!
Nothing against LOOPER! I think Rian Johnson is a genius and I think Joseph Gordon Levitt will become his generation’s Matt Damon. Ram Bergman, the movie’s real producer, is one of the nicest guys in Hollywood.
Dirty Laundry was a shortfilm directed by Phil Joanou (Gridiron Gang, State Of Grace) which debuted at last year’s San Diego Comic Con, following up actor Thomas Jane’s appearance in the title role of Jonathan Hensleigh’s 2004 film, The Punisher, which was reboot of the 1989 film which originally starred Dolph Lundgren. The 2004 film preceded several failed attempts at a sequel which led to another reboot of the franchise, starring Ray Stevenson.
Adi Shankar’s latest announcement of a possible Dredd short will join the ranks of (or possibly dwarf upon release) recent efforts to bring the titular character back to life in shortfilm form, along with Oliver Hollingdale at Sunnymeade Films, and Steve and Nick at Sneaky Zebra Films. So stay tuned for further updates. Meantime, check out the Adi Shankar-produced #DirtyLaundry if you haven’t seen it yet. Enjoy! (Click HERE if the embed below fails to load).
Photo Credit: MTV Geek