A pair of interconnected motion pictures is named a duology, and there are just a few cinematic duos which are in determined want of a 3rd installment to develop into superb trilogies. Sequels aren’t unique to motion pictures, however movie lends itself nicely to ongoing sequence. A trilogy is the right format to inform an extended story, largely as a result of it mimics a three-act construction.
There is not any scarcity of basic trilogies, however duologies are literally fairly uncommon. Generally a burgeoning franchise is lower brief due to monetary underperformance, whereas others merely get misplaced in growth hell and by no means materialize. Regardless of the motive, duologies can really feel incomplete with out a third movie to place a correct cap on the story and franchise.
Some potential trilogies appear to be they’re only some years away from turning into a actuality, whereas others are a bit extra far-fetched. Both approach, the most effective duologies can stand on their very own, however can be made even higher if a 3rd movie joined their illustrious ranks.
Kill Invoice (2003-2004)
Quentin Tarantino has by no means been shy about carrying his influences on his sleeve, and his Kill Invoice duology is a love letter to his favourite martial arts motion pictures. The Uma Thurman-led motion masterpiece is definitely one lengthy story informed throughout two motion pictures, and Tarantino initially meant for Kill Invoice to be a single launch.
Although the revenge flick ended on a optimistic word, the prospect for extra was at all times on the desk. The Bride’s bloody quest for vengeance opened the door for lots of retribution, and Tarantino himself typically spoke about making extra motion pictures. Sadly, Tarantino shot down rumors of a 3rd film in 2023, and the challenge has been dormant ever since.
Sicario (2015-2018)
Earlier than he crafted one of the crucial fashionable TV exhibits in latest reminiscence with Yellowstone, author/director Taylor Sheridan had an enormous hit on his palms with Sicario. The unflinching and violent crime thriller duology entails US authorities brokers taking up the Mexican cartel, and it was famous for its stark cinematography and good appearing.
Sicario was nominated for 3 Academy Awards.
Sicario and its sequel had been launched in fast succession, however years have handed with out a third film. Sicario: Capos is a trilogy-capper that has been within the works for years, however little information has surfaced since 2018. That is particularly irritating since Day of the Soldado ended on one thing of a cliffhanger that might simply spin off into one other sequel.
Crank (2005-2009)
Jason Statham’s motion pictures aren’t normally held in notably excessive regard, however his appearances within the Crank movies are a real spotlight of his profession. The off-the-wall motion sequence casts Statham as a hitman who (by means of a sequence of misadventures) should race towards the clock to maintain himself alive by means of any means crucial.
Since Statham is not choosy together with his roles, his return as Chev could possibly be as simple as discovering the precise script. A threequel might dream up an much more ridiculous motive for Chev’s journey, and it might embrace the foolish enjoyable of its predecessors. Statham continues to be a draw, so even a 15-plus-year wait would not harm a doable Crank sequel.
Shanghai Midday (2000-2003)
Whereas they may have pale into the background a bit within the final 20 years, the Shanghai Midday/Knights duology is likely one of the highlights of blockbuster cinema within the early Aughts. Pairing Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson collectively in a shocking partnership, the popcorn flicks received first rate critiques and hauled in a ton of money as nicely.
A legacy sequel might lastly do the sequence the justice it deserves, and the return of Chan and Wilson will surely spark some fan curiosity. The third film might bounce ahead within the timeline, and present Chon and Roy a few years after their transfer to Hollywood. Regardless of the plot, all a 3rd Shanghai film wants is quite a lot of laughs.
Zombieland (2009-2019)
Although it took a decade for the primary sequel to reach, the irreverent horror comedy Zombieland lastly turned a duology in 2019. Poking enjoyable at zombie film tropes, the sequence managed to craft a captivating post-apocalyptic world with its personal guidelines and intelligent spins on the established mythos. On high of that, the films had been simply plain humorous.
The recognition of zombies has begun to rise once more after the subgenre was a bit overexposed within the 2010s. Zombieland 3 might come at any level, particularly with stars like Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson doing different sequels. Zombieland: Double Faucet had a candy conclusion, however it was certainly not a definitive ending.
Nationwide Treasure (2004-2007)
Disney was on a roll with their live-action choices within the 2000s, and the Nationwide Treasure sequence was the studio’s response to franchises like Indiana Jones. The flicks faucet Nicolas Cage to play a rogue historian who uncovers secret artifacts that tie into conspiracies involving america authorities and its previous. They had been bombastic and foolish, however endlessly entertaining.
A TV sequence bombed on Disney+, and it is largest failing was that it did not have Cage. The Nationwide Treasure motion pictures had been main moneymakers, so it might behoove Disney to make a 3rd. Cage would not appear to show down many roles, and the franchise’s premise leaves the door open for Ben Gates to return for a brand new journey fairly simply.
Sherlock Holmes (2009-2011)
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s intrepid detective hero isn’t any stranger to the massive display, however the 2009 Sherlock Holmes movie stands head and shoulders above the remainder. Boasting starpower like Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Regulation, the Man Ritchie motion thriller used its lavish funds to carry Victorian England to life with all of the exaggerated fashion of a Hollywood blockbuster.
Sherlock Holmes: A Sport of Shadows did not miss a beat, and it appeared as if the third movie would arrive quickly. Sadly, The RDJ franchise has been on ice since 2011, and it would not seem like thawing any time quickly. The ending revealed that Holmes was alive, and the blockbuster duology is not with out materials to make a trilogy.
Leap Road (2012-2014)
Based mostly on the favored TV sequence of the identical identify, 2012’s 21 Leap Road was one of the crucial shocking comedies of the 2010s. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum are a pair of beat cops despatched undercover at a neighborhood highschool, and the film has enjoyable with the unique sequence’ reasonably foolish idea.
A crossover with the Males in Black franchise was teased however has but to truly occur.
The Lord and Miller comedy simply might have been disposable nostalgia bait, however its laughs had been real. The sequel, 22 Leap Road, saved the ball rolling and established the system. A possible 23 Leap Road might comply with Schmidt and Jenko on their first post-grad undercover case, and present how they’ve adjusted to a extra mature place within the pressure.
Monsters Inc. (2001-2013)
Although they’re more and more commonplace right now, Pixar sequels was fairly uncommon. Due to this fact, the long-awaited Monsters Inc. follow-up had massive footwear to fill when it debuted in 2013. Monsters College was a prequel to the 2001 movie, and constructed on the beloved fictional universe whereas diving deep into the origins of the characters.
Monsters College opened the door for one more Monsters Inc. movie as a result of it wasn’t a conventional sequel. Ought to Pixar return to Monstropolis, the threequel could possibly be set after the ending of the primary film, or discover one other level within the lives of Sully and Mike. It doesn’t matter what the story is, a Monsters Inc. sequel has to carry the center.
Blade Runner (1982-2017)
Blade Runner is likely one of the most influential sci-fi motion pictures ever, however a sequel by no means appeared doable as a result of the film wasn’t an enormous hit. Blade Runner 2049 was a love-letter to the unique and its followers, however it too was one thing of a field workplace disappointment. However, the fictional universe remains to be ripe for exploration in one other film.
Not solely would a 3rd Blade Runner movie be an thrilling prospect from a narrative perspective, it might additionally give filmmakers the prospect to get it proper. Blade Runner 2 would not have to occur simply because the duology feels incomplete, but in addition as a result of the impactful franchise deserves to have at the very least one main monetary success in its historical past.