How Back In Action Cliffhanger Ending Sets Up Sequel Explained By Director

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for the new Netflix action movie Back In Action!Seth Gordon, director of the Netflix spy movie Back in Action, has teased how the movie’s cliffhanger ending sets up a potential sequel. Serving to reunite leading stars Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz, Gordon’s star-studded action movie made its worldwide streaming debut on January 17. Following the exploits of two former CIA operatives whose family is placed in jeopardy, the Back in Action cast also features Glenn Close as Diaz’s estranged mother and former MI-6 agent. However, during the movie’s final moments, Diaz’s character is also tasked with seeking out and recruiting her mysterious father.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly about Back in Action’s recent streaming release, Gordon revealed how his movie’s ending leads into a potential sequel and his plans for casting the missing father. Explaining that while there is “certainly an idea” about a possible continuation and who Diaz’s father could be, Netflix is still yet to acknowledge whether or not a sequel will occur. He said:

There’s certainly an idea about who the dad could be and what the whole story could be about. [Netflix] won’t even acknowledge the idea of a sequel yet! So if you put in a good word, maybe there’s a chance.

As for the potential direction of Back in Action 2, Gordon explains that he is interested in exploring moments when the lives of Diaz’s and Foxx’s teenage children begin to directly conflict with their history of working in espionage. He also suggested that any sequel would show both kids at a later point in their schooling, admitting that Rylan Jackson, who plays the couple’s son Leo, is now much taller than he was during filming the first movie:

What I’m leaning towards is there’s these moments where family comes in, and the events of a teenager’s life come in conflict with someone’s background as a spy. I feel like there’s a few opportunities or landmarks that we can build on from their lives.

I’ll tell you that Leo, who is based on my son, in the course of [filming], he’s now nine or 10 inches taller than he was. His voice has dropped, so it wouldn’t be picking up the next day. I think we would honor the truth of the timeline of their lives and show another event, sort of later in high school, for both of them. But I tried to [weave] in the first one that Leo shows these moments of promise [and] ability.

As for who could play Diaz’s father and the ex-husband of Close’s Ginny, Gordon also suggested that he too would likely come from a background in espionage, and being British there are “certain people that you could consider” for the role. Check out the rest of what Gordon shared about a potential sequel below:

I think you got to believe that she met him somewhere through work. It wouldn’t be bad if he were also British. You’d have to believe that guy holding a gun. So there are certain people that you could consider for that part. We’ve definitely got some creative thoughts.

What Gordon’s Comments Suggest About Back In Action 2’s Possible Casting

There’s Only One British Spy Worthy Of Being Emily’s Father

While the ending of Back in Action sees Foxx’s and Diaz’s family return to their suburban lives, it is clear that their past will continue to haunt them moving forward. Not only does Andrew Scott’s MI-6 agent task Diaz’s Emily with tracking down her father, but he also reveals that the body of the movie’s primary villain was unable to be recovered, hinting at his continued survival.

As such, it would seem that Emily’s father will play a significant role in any potential Back in Action sequel, and his connection with the clandestine world of spycraft will feature heavily in selecting the most appropriate actor. Much as Gordon points out, the idea of a former British secret agent automatically brings to mind several key names, foremost among them likely being previous James Bond actors Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan.

Our Take On Back In Action 2 Bringing In A Former Bond

Gordon Also Has A Long List Of Bond Villains To Choose From


Alice (McKenna Roberts), Emily (Cameron Diaz) and Ginny standing on the bank of the Thames in Back in Action

While there are other fictional British spies in the pop culture landscape aside from the infamous 007, his character is undoubtedly the most recognizable. As such, Gordon would be wise to attempt to intertwine his own growing spy franchise with the world’s most celebrated example of the genre. Moreover, while Dalton and Brosnan would both be amazing picks to play Emily’s father, Gordon could also potentially tap into the large ᴀssortment of previous Bond villains, and other picks such as GoldenEye’s Sean Bean to join his potential Back in Action sequel.

Source: EW

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