Good news, “Bright” fans (and haters). The sequel rumors were true!
David Ayer will write and direct a followup film to the widely panned sci-fi flick, with Will Smith and Joel Edgerton expected to return in the lead roles, Netflix announced Wednesday via social media.
Eric Newman and Bryan Unkeless are set as producers for the sequel. Max Landis, who wrote the original, does not appear to be involved in the sequel.
Of course, the streaming service broke the news of another installment in the most “Bright” way imaginable…
In a “leaked” orc audition tape, two wannabe “Bright” actors show off why they would be a great fit for a sequel — including their impressive action moves and passion for Smith.
Then a title card flashes announcing the confirmation of the sequel with some title options: “Bright 2,” “Brighter,” “Bad Boys in Mordor,” “Orcs Gone Wild,” “The Last Inferni” and “Wand Wars.” And yes, they know they need to workshop it some more.
“Bright” bowed on Netflix on Dec. 22, 2017 and has already gained cult status among fans and critics alike, after being bashed on social media and in reviews — it has a 26 percent Rotten Tomatoes score — for what many viewers called its clumsy treatment of a racial allegory.
But that dragging only seemed to make “Bright” shine more, as it is the streaming service’s highest-viewed original film ever in its first week of release and one of the biggest originals (including sequels/additional seasons) Netflix has ever launched, the streaming service said.
Nielsen recently reported “Bright” was viewed by 11 million people over its first three days.
The movie has been the No. 1 film on Netflix in every country since its release, with more people viewing it outside the U.S. than domestically.
The original is set in an alternate present-day and follows two cops, Ward, a human played by Smith, and Jakoby, an orc played by Edgerton.
The pair set off on what they think is a routine night of patrolling that will end up changing the course of history. Ward and Jakoby must come to grips with their , differences and protect a thought-to-be-forgotten relic, which in the wrong hands could destroy everything. And fight some baddies along the way.
Watch the video announcement for the sequel above.