A sequel to Vin Diesel‘s high-priced 2015 fantasy film, The Last Witch Hunter, is in the works, The Last Witch Hunter 2 and his flaming sword appears to have been put on ice for a few years.
After a flood of negative reviews and even worse word of mouth, Diesel’s $90 million films hit theatres. After a disappointing $27 million domestic box office take, it quickly vanished from the public’s awareness. That $120 million in overseas receipts wasn’t enough to have producers thinking about a sequel to Diesel’s starring role in the film.
At least, that’s what we believed. The Last Witch Hunter has developed a cult following in the years since its box office failure, and it appears that Lionsgate Pictures is considering giving Diesel a second chance to reprise his role as the legendary witch hunter Kaulder. At least, that’s what Diesel himself said in a recent interview with Collider when he hinted at The Last Witch Hunter 2’s future ambitions.
“When the Last Witch Hunter comes out and it doesn’t destroy the box office you, under the old thinking, would go, ‘Well, maybe I should focus on something else.’ But nowadays what’s fascinating is that movies find you somehow. As an artist, the more experienced I get, the more I am appreciating just the fact that my work somehow finds you and that you get to experience it at your own time and your own pace.”
Even forgettable films like The Last Witch Hunter can be found on streaming and VOD channels, which Diesel is referring to. Lionsgate’s sequel intentions are likely influenced by the success of his lackluster witch story, which is certainly among the pictures that have garnered second-wave followers in the streaming industry.
The Sequel To The Last Witch Hunter May Not Be Released For Sometime
It’s been 800 years since the plague-causing Queen Witch (Julie Engelbrecht) was killed in The Last Witch Hunter, but if you missed it in cinemas or haven’t found it yet on streaming, Diesel stars as the titular hunter. On his side: Michael Caine, his young student Elijah Wood, and Rose Leslie, the witch/bar owner from Game of Thrones. Michael Caine, Elijah Wood, and Rose Leslie.
As ludicrous as you could expect, the scripting in The Last Witch Hunter isn’t helping matters much. Despite this, the CGI-heavy actioner has some redeeming qualities, especially for those who enjoy the film’s inadvertent but enjoyable B-movie feel. The film’s newfound fan base may be also embracing its charm in some way or another. According to Diesel’s interview, they’ve become rather enamored with The Last Witch Hunter.
“When people tell me that they love the Witch Hunter, and they want to see Michael Caine and I go into another one, I go, ‘Wow’.” That “wow” factor has gotten the attention of producers as well. “Lionsgate is coming and saying, ‘We’re putting a writer on for the next one.’ That’s kinda cool! … And this is just recent, by the way. But it’s funny that you mentioned Last Witch Hunter because I’m in a meeting with Lionsgate and they’re actively creating the sequel to The Last Witch Hunter.”
There is no guarantee that The Last Witch Hunter’s fans will be eager to see a sequel. Regardless of whether or not the world needs a sequel to The Last Witch Hunter, the film has been put into production. As it has only recently reached the writing stage, we may have to wait a long time before we see it. The Last Witch Hunter 2 has yet to receive a formal green light, but it appears Vin Diesel is ready and waiting.
