Should We Even Bother Making A Wanted 2

Remember that wild, neon-drenched ride that was Wanted? The one where James McAvoy went from a whiny office drone to a super-assassin with a brain full of impossible tricks and a life full of more twists than a pretzel factory? It was the kind of movie that made you jump in your seat, squint at the screen trying to figure out how they did that, and then maybe even laugh out loud at the sheer audacity of it all. We're talking about bullets curving around corners, assassins bending in ways that defy gravity, and a secret society operating out of a suspiciously fancy textile factory. It was a blast, plain and simple.

Now, the age-old question, the one that haunts cinephiles and casual moviegoers alike: should we, the adoring fans, even bother with a Wanted 2? It’s a question that gets tossed around a lot, especially when a first movie is as memorable and, let’s be honest, as completely bonkers as Wanted was. The original was based on a comic book series, which itself was pretty out there. So, the movie already had a head start in the “ridiculous but awesome” department.

Thinking about a sequel can be a bit like looking at an old, beloved toy. Will a new version capture the same magic? Or will it just feel like a cheap imitation, a pale shadow of the original joy? With Wanted, the bar is set pretty high. We’re talking about characters like Sloane, the enigmatic leader with a surprisingly calm demeanor while orchestrating mayhem, and the legendary assassin Cross, whose advice was as deadly as his aim. And who could forget The Fox, the fiercely capable operative who taught Wesley Gibson (that’s McAvoy’s character, by the way) the ropes and had a knack for delivering both killer lines and killer blows?

The beauty of the first Wanted was its sheer, unadulterated fun. It didn't take itself too seriously, even when people were flying through the air, dodging gunfire like they were in a really intense game of dodgeball.

The world of Wanted was so over-the-top that it was, in a strange way, believable. Or at least, it was believable within its own established rules of physics-bending assassination. The idea of a brotherhood of assassins, each with their own unique, almost supernatural skills, operating in the shadows? It’s the stuff of pure fantasy, and the movie leaned into it with glorious abandon. The training sequences alone were a masterclass in showing, not just telling, how these assassins became so deadly. You saw Wesley struggling, failing, and then, with a surge of adrenaline and a few cryptic words of wisdom, somehow succeeding in ways that made you gasp.

But here’s the tricky part with sequels: where do you go from there? Wesley pretty much reached the pinnacle of assassin training in the first film. He went from zero to hero, mastering the impossible curves and the cryptic fraternity. So, for a Wanted 2, they’d need to come up with something even bigger, even more daring. And that’s a tall order. Do we need to see him fighting even bigger bad guys? Or perhaps delving into even more obscure assassins’ guilds? Maybe a rival faction of assassins who specialize in, I don’t know, knitting perfectly lethal scarves? The possibilities are endless, and that’s both exciting and a little terrifying.

Sometimes, the best way to appreciate a masterpiece is to let it stand alone. The original Wanted left us with a sense of exhilaration and a feeling that we’d witnessed something truly unique. It gave us that satisfying conclusion where Wesley had found his place, his purpose, and his incredible aim. It’s like finishing a fantastic meal; you’re full, happy, and you don't really want dessert if it's going to spoil the taste of what you just had.

However, there’s also the heart-warming aspect of revisiting beloved characters. Imagine seeing Wesley again, perhaps older and wiser, maybe even a little jaded but still possessing that incredible, gravity-defying skill. What new challenges would he face? What personal demons would he have to conquer? The first movie showed us his transformation, but a sequel could explore the consequences of that transformation. How does a life of assassination, even for a good cause, change a person? Does the thrill ever wear off? Does he ever miss the mundane life he left behind, like complaining about his boss or the price of coffee?

And what about the other characters? Could we see more of the legendary assassins we only glimpsed? Or perhaps the introduction of new, equally compelling figures? The world of Wanted felt rich with potential for more stories, more secrets. It wasn't just about Wesley; it was about the entire enigmatic society. A sequel could really flesh out the lore, showing us the inner workings of the Fraternity, their history, and their place in the world. It could also explore the moral complexities of their work. They might be assassins, but they operated under a code, eliminating individuals who threatened the balance. A sequel could delve deeper into the nuances of that code and the difficult choices they had to make.

Ultimately, the decision to make a Wanted 2 isn't just about how to top the action sequences or how to get the original cast back together. It's about whether there's a compelling story left to tell. Does the universe of Wanted still have something to offer us that’s fresh, exciting, and emotionally resonant? If they can capture that same blend of insane action, dark humor, and surprisingly touching character development, then absolutely, let’s buckle up for another wild ride. But if it’s just a rehash, a cash grab with a few extra explosions, then maybe, just maybe, some things are best left as legendary as they are. The anticipation itself is part of the fun, isn't it? Wondering, hoping, and debating whether our favorite assassins will ever grace the screen again.