Back before he became the director of THE AVENGERS, Joss Whedon was between projects. During the 2008 Writer’s Guild strike, Whedon and his brothers Jed and Zack conceived the musical web series DR. HORRIBLE’S SING-A-LONG BLOG, which would go on to launch the career of Felicia Day while stoking the celebrity of both Neil Patrick Harris and Nathan Fillion. The series went on to mainstream success and all involved have had fruitful careers since. But, the question remains: where is DR. HORRIBLE 2?
We have been teased that it was coming and yet nothing. So, each time there is a lull in interviews regarding THE AVENGERS or AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., the Whedons are asked about the musical follow-up. Recently, Jed Whedon gave Entertainment Weekly the latest spectre of hope about the project.
We know we have spoken publicly about a sequel in the near distance and our passion to create it, and I promise we have not been insincere. Horrible is still one of our favorite creations by humans who were also us. We have many songs written and the plot outlined, but needless to say, we’ve been busy. Joss has had a hectic couple of years and is in the middle of the busiest year of his life, as is Zack and as are we. Also the actors have other things they’re acting in, I think. So the future is uncertain, our passion remains. DH2 will exist, in some format or another, at some point in the future. Unfortunately, the when is still unclear.”
As with BUFFY and ANGEL, “some format or another” could refer to the written or illustrated page. I would think a big screen sequel is likely out of the question, but with Whedon’s pull these days, you never know. Unless there is another strike on the horizon, I would think it may be a while before we see DR. HORRIBLE 2, but don’t give up. Even with busy schedules for everyone, they could always record their tracks for an animated sequel.