15 Movie Sequels That Were Planned But Never Happened 15 Movie Sequels That Were Planned But Never Happened

Some movie sequels seem inevitable, especially when the original film is a massive hit. However, not every planned sequel makes it to the big screen. Whether due to studio disputes, financial struggles, creative differences or underwhelming box office numbers, many sequels have been scrapped despite early development. Some of these lost sequels could have been game changers, while others might have been disastrous. Here are 15 movie sequels that were planned but never happened, leaving fans wondering what could have been.

Gladiator 2 – A Time-Travelling Maximus?

Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2000, was a massive success, winning Best Picture at the Oscars and turning Russell Crowe’s Maximus into an iconic character. Despite Maximus’ death, a sequel was planned where he would be resurrected and sent through different historical battles, including World War II and the Vietnam War. The bizarre time travel concept stalled production and the sequel was abandoned. However, Gladiator 2 is now back in development with a new story set years after the original.

The Amazing Spider-Man 3 – Sony’s Scrapped Spidey Universe

After The Amazing Spider-Man 2 2014, set up multiple spin offs, Sony planned a third installment featuring Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man facing the Sinister Six. However, negative fan reactions and behind the scenes tensions led Sony to cancel the sequel and reboot the franchise with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man in the MCU. Fans of Garfield’s take on the character were left disappointed, but his return in Spider-Man: No Way Home 2021, reignited calls for a proper conclusion to his story.

Tron 3 – A Digital World Left Behind

Tron: Legacy 2010, was a visually stunning sequel to the 1982 cult classic and Disney originally had big plans for a third film. The sequel was set to bring back Garrett Hedlund’s Sam Flynn and Olivia Wilde’s Quorra while exploring the real world’s impact on the digital Grid. Despite development being underway, Disney shelved the project in favor of other franchises like Marvel and Star Wars. Fans still hope for a continuation and rumors of Tron: Ares have recently surfaced.

Hellboy 3 – The Ron Perlman Sequel We Never Got

Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy films, 2004, 2008, became cult favorites, and fans eagerly awaited a third installment to complete the trilogy. The story would have followed Hellboy embracing his destiny as the Beast of the Apocalypse. However, budget concerns and creative differences between del Toro and the studio led to its cancellation. Instead, fans were given a disappointing 2019 reboot that failed to capture the magic of the original.

Mad Max: Fury Road Sequels – A Long Road Ahead

Mad Max: Fury Road 2015, was an instant classic, but legal disputes between George Miller and Warner Bros. delayed planned sequels. Mad Max: The Wasteland was supposed to continue Tom Hardy’s story as Max, while Furiosa would focus on Charlize Theron’s character. After years of delays, Furiosa is finally happening, but the future of Max’s next adventure remains uncertain.

Batman Unchained – The Dark Knight’s Scrapped Finale

Photo Credit: Ron Philips/Warner Bros Entertainment Inc/Legendary Pictures Funding/IMDB

Following Batman & Robin 1997, Warner Bros. planned Batman Unchained with George Clooney returning as the Caped Crusader. The plot would have featured Scarecrow and Harley Quinn as villains, with Batman facing hallucinations of past foes like Jack Nicholson’s Joker. However, the backlash from Batman & Robin killed the project, leading to a complete franchise reboot with Batman Begins 2005.

Man of Steel 2 – A True Superman Sequel That Never Came

Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel 2013, was meant to launch a new Superman franchise, but instead, Warner Bros. shifted focus to Batman v Superman 2016. A proper Man of Steel 2 was teased multiple times, with rumored villains including Brainiac or Black Adam. However, constant changes in DC’s leadership and the eventual reboot under James Gunn officially ended Cavill’s Superman era.

World War Z 2 – A Brad Pitt Zombie Sequel That Fizzled Out

Despite World War Z 2013 becoming a surprise hit, its sequel faced multiple setbacks. David Fincher was attached to direct and the film was expected to follow the global war against zombies. However, budget concerns and studio hesitation caused the project to collapse. Brad Pitt moved on to other projects, and World War Z 2 was officially abandoned.

Edge of Tomorrow 2 – Stuck in Development Hell

Edge of Tomorrow 2014, starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt, was a surprise hit and a sequel was teased with the title Live Die and Repeat. The concept promised an even wilder time loop adventure, but scheduling conflicts and script rewrites delayed production. Despite ongoing interest from fans and the stars, the sequel remains in limbo.

District 10 – The Long-Awaited District 9 Sequel

Neill Blomkamp’s District 9, 2009, left audiences craving a sequel, especially with its cliffhanger ending. A sequel, District 10, was frequently teased, but Blomkamp struggled to get the project off the ground. Fans continue to hold out hope, but as time passes, the chances of seeing a return to this sci-fi world grow slimmer.

Kill Bill: Vol. 3 – Quentin Tarantino’s Unfinished Story

Tarantino has long teased Kill Bill: Vol. 3, which would focus on the daughter of Vernita Green seeking revenge on The Bride, Uma Thurman. Despite occasional hints, the director has never committed to making it. With Tarantino claiming he will retire after his 10th film, Kill Bill 3 may never happen.

The Incredibles 2, Original Concept – A Very Different Sequel

While The Incredibles 2, 2018, eventually happened, Pixar originally had different plans. The early concept would have explored a darker, more espionage heavy storyline, with Syndrome returning as an AI villain. However, the final version took a different direction, leading to some fans feeling the sequel lacked the depth of the original.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Sequel – A Franchise That Never Took Off

David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 2011, was meant to launch a trilogy based on Stieg Larsson’s books. However, due to high production costs and slow box office performance, Sony scrapped the direct sequel. Instead, they rebooted the franchise with The Girl in the Spider’s Web, 2018, which failed to reignite interest.

Mega Man – A Canceled Live-Action Adaptation

Capcom’s Mega Man was set to receive a live action Hollywood film, with 20th Century Fox developing the project. However, after Disney acquired Fox, the film quietly disappeared from development, leaving fans of the blue bomber without a cinematic adventure.

Fantastic Four 2, 2015 Reboot – A Sequel Nobody Wanted

Fox planned a sequel to the disastrous Fantastic Four 2015, despite its poor reception. The film was critically panned and bombed at the box office, leading the studio to cancel any follow ups. Instead, Marvel Studios has taken over the franchise, with a new Fantastic Four movie set for the MCU.

Hollywood is full of what-ifs, and these scrapped sequels prove that even the biggest franchises are not guaranteed a future. While some of these projects might have been amazing, others were probably better left unmade. Whether due to bad timing, creative conflicts or studio politics, these lost sequels remain a fascinating glimpse into what could have been. Would you have wanted to see any of these films become a reality?

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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