Wanted co-writer Derek Haas offers a hopeful update on the long-awaited sequel. Released in 2008, the action thriller adapted from Mark Millar’s comic series of the same name stars James McAvoy as Wesley Gibson, an office worker who is recruited to be an ᴀssᴀssin, Angelina Jolie as his mentor, and Morgan Freeman as his boss. Though the movie ends on a conclusive note, reports in 2011 revealed that Universal was interested in developing a sequel with the screenwriting team.

In an interview with ScreenRant‘s Ash Crossan to promote his new Prime Video crime series, Countdown, starring Jensen Ackles as an LAPD detective, Haas offered an optimistic update on Wanted 2. Recalling his experience making the first movie, he shared that he loved “everything about” the process and would love to do it again if everyone was on board. While it’s been 17 years since Wanted was released, he stressed “never say never.” Read his comments below:

Derek Haas: No, from your lips to God’s ears. I loved everything about making Wanted, and if Universal decides at some point they want to do the second one, Michael Brandt and I wrote a script for it that I still think is pretty good. And James McAvoy, come on back, let’s do Wesley again. It was really fun.

Ash Crossan: I think he’s recently said in an interview. He’s been like, “Yeah, I’d still love to do it no matter what.”

Haas: Yeah, I will say, never say never in this town, that’s for sure.

What This Means For Wanted 2

Wanted 2 Is Currently Not Moving Forward, But It Could Still Happen

Talk about Wanted 2 started to emerge after the 2008 movie’s box office success, but it wasn’t until 2011 that the project received any major updates. The original director, Timur Bekmambetov, was attached to the project while the script was being developed by the original screenwriters, Michael Brandt and Haas. Despite delays and eventual halts, Haas’ comments reveal that the script for the sequel may have already been completed. Though Universal may not have an active plan to develop the sequel, Hᴀss doesn’t shut down the possibility for later.

Haas’ comment also suggests that McAvoy’s return as Wesley would play a crucial part in revisiting Wanted 2. While McAvoy has played diverse characters in his career, he has previously opened up about wanting to reprise Wesley in a sequel. It sounds like the possibility is there, but it probably will not happen any time soon.

Our Take On The Wanted 2 Update

Many Older Films Have Recently Received A Follow-up

Wanted 2 could take a look at Wesley’s idenтιтy as an ᴀssᴀssin and explore the Fraternity organization further. Even though creative differences and timing are two key reasons why the planned sequel didn’t happen in the first place, the odds of older movies getting a sequel or follow-up decades after their initial releases are higher than they used to be. Recently, the highly anticipated 28 Years Later came to theaters almost two decades after its predecessor, while Final Destination Bloodlines was released 14 years after the franchise’s previous entry. Wanted 2 may end up happening despite the developmental delays.