Spike Lee Moves Forward on 'Inside Man 2'
Filed under: Drama, Deals, Mystery & Suspense, Fandom, Newsstand, Remakes and Sequels
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Funny, too, because my friends and I were just discussing Inside Man last night. My good pal has a thing for when Denzel yells, "This ain't no robbery!" -- and for some odd reason, he's always saying it (in Denzel's voice). Everyone has THAT quote-crazy friend, ya know? But anyway, The Hollywood Reporter tells us that Spike Lee is moving forward with a sequel to Inside Man over at Universal -- a project that's been in the works for awhile now, but took a backseat when Lee decided to make Miracle at St. Anna. The director would return to the film in the same role, with Terry George (Hotel Rwanda, Reservation Road) currently in negotiations to write the screenplay.
Universal and Lee made a killing on the first Inside Man, which, in my opinion, was one of the more enjoyable heist flicks of the past few years, and so it's no surprise they're looking to dive in for more. Though they're not signed on yet, both Denzel Washington and Clive Owen are interested in reprising their roles -- and THR says the sequel will "continue the relationship between the two man characters but in a new high-tension situation." Not a big fan of the "it made $175 million so we have to do the sequel" thought process, but if there's a duo I'd like to see reunited on screen, it would be Clive and Denzel. Both were excellent in the first film.
What do you think? Down for more Inside Man? And where could you see them taking these characters?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-06-2008 @ 12:44PM
eugene said...
I dunno, I loved Inside Man, but I can't help but think that any situation that could get those two characters back together would be incredibly contrived.
I remain cautiously hopeful.
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9-06-2008 @ 2:11PM
chaingunx said...
I think it would actually be pretty sweet. Denzels character was an arrogant narcissist and would be obsessed to catch Owens character. It would be sweet to hear Owen whisper to Denzel in his monotone delivery "Why don't you just leave well enough alone." while Denzel is losing his mind with anger and frustration.
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9-06-2008 @ 3:24PM
StanleyNickels said...
This is one time I'm all for a sequel. I'm not a huge Denzel fan (although when he's cast outside of the hero archetype, he's generally very good), but I'm a big fan of Clive Owen, and the way Inside Man ended really piqued my interest. Clive Owen as a vigilante con artist? What's not to like?
The bar was set really high with the first one though. Their work is really cut out for them.
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9-06-2008 @ 4:59PM
Taraji said...
*sigh*, I loved Inside Man, but I really don't see how these two character's could possibly cross pact again. The way i see it they either follow denzel's character , in another crisis, not involving clive owen. Or they follow Clive Owen's character pulling another heist not involving denzel.
Two of them together will be a little too contrived
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9-06-2008 @ 6:11PM
pete thomson said...
i agree it could be very contrived! The best thing about the first movie was Jodie Foster as Madaline Whyte, a really strong female character. She would be far more interesting than Clive who is a tad wooden an Denzel who can be a little sanctamonious. Im not that excited as its really just for the cash an theyve left it too late.
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9-06-2008 @ 7:14PM
YouFaceTheTick said...
I loved The Inside Man - fun flick the whole way through - BUT it does not need a sequel at all. I see no logical way to ever pair the characters again.
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9-07-2008 @ 12:57AM
jake said...
"This aint no robbery" is the quintessential Denzel line, his delivery of that one line sums up the last umpteen many characters he's played.
It should be on his tombstone.
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9-07-2008 @ 1:16AM
maestro610 said...
I would love to see Clive Owen's character from Inside Man utilized in another heist movie. Denzel's character would be great in his own film as well. I just hope they aren't afraid to drop either lead if they don't fit into a sensible script.
I definitely see difficulty pairing these characters again in a face off. Perhaps a situation where Owen's character is forced to react while Denzel's is the one pulling the strings.
It was such a smart and fun movie experience the first time around that I hope they really take the time to think it out rather than just pump out another heist flick with the same title.
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9-07-2008 @ 4:14AM
Riley Freeman said...
i can see it. this type of movie has been done many times before. think of demolition man. its the one that got away. so hes the thorn in denzels side. so its definitely can be done and first one was really good. i like it more because i am the same. when im trying to trick people or maybe not tell the whole truth i chose my words very carefully
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9-07-2008 @ 6:13AM
Gary said...
So this article made me want to watch Inside Man again today, I never really liked it first time around. I have no idea why because I watched it on my own this afternoon (no wife for 2 weeks! Yipee!! major movie watching time) and thought it was an excellent movie. I guess first time around my head was somewhere else and never really watched it properly.
A sequel? yeah why not, As long as they concentrate on getting the screenplay right before they are start production. With sequels of successful movies the script always tends to be overlooked, I guess the studios feel they don't need it as they have the success of the first film to bank on.
We could have all three characters back as long as the story makes sense, but Jodi Foster needs to have a more central role in proceedings. She could be the one that brings the other two together, and I imagine it has to revolve around the insurance policy that Clive Owen's character took with him.
But the important thing about the first movie is that Clive Owen was not the antagonist as one would originally have thought, he was a good guy really. So somebody needs to be the bad guy, I would imagine that would be Jodie Foster, it would end up with Denzel and Owen working together. It is the only way I could see it working and still stay faithful to the original.
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