This week, a 17-year-old action thriller makes its return to Netflix, allowing fans to remember why this movie truly deserved a sequel that it never received. Wanted makes its return to Netflix once again, with the Timur Bekmambetov thriller dropping on July 16.
Bekmambetov directed Wanted, based on the graphic novel by Mark Millar (Kingsman, Kick-ᴀss) and J.G. Jones. James McAvoy stars as Wesley Gibson, a normal man with a terrible life who learns his father was a master ᴀssᴀssin. A mysterious woman named Fox (Angelina Jolie) recruits him to join his dad’s former organization.
However, someone soon starts gunning for him, and Wesley has to take a crash course in training to survive and hopefully make it to the end of this movie alive. It was set up perfectly for a sequel, similar to Millar’s Kingsman series. However, Wanted ended up as a one-and-done and is now headed to Netflix once again.
What This Means For Wanted On Netflix
Wanted Has A Chance To Prove Why It Was So Successful
The arrival of Wanted on Netflix gives people a chance to rewatch the movie, and possibly allows it to prove its popularity if it rises to the top of the charts once more. In past Netflix releases, it always seemed to be one of the most-watched movies every time it returned, and it makes one wonder why a Wanted sequel never happened.
According to screenwriter Derek Haas, he loved everything about Wanted and said he would love to return if Universal wanted to make a sequel. He said that he even wrote a sequel, which he thinks is good, but it is up to Universal and James McAvoy to get it made.
Wanted 2 was going to happen, and after the movie made $341 million at the worldwide box office, it seemed like a no-brainer. Additionally, as a Mark Millar property, it appeared straightforward since Kingsman and Kick-ᴀss received sequels. However, rewrites were needed, and after they decided on a direction, Universal put it in developmental hell.
Why You Should Watch Wanted On Netflix
Wanted is a movie that is not only full of great action, but it is also one that takes a more revolutionary stance in its choreography. It delivered action like John Wick did long before Keanu Reeves’ franchise debuted. It also adds in special touches similar to The Matrix, especially concerning the “curving” bullets.
Anyone who loves Mark Millar’s other adaptations will likely find a lot to like about Wanted, from the reluctant hero to the elaborate action scenes. With a 71% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 69% audience score, it has its fans. If it achieves streaming success again, the studios might be interested in bringing McAvoy back for another go-around as Wesley Gibson.
