After nearly a decade without, we finally have a new Sam Raimi movie playing in theaters. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness marks Raimi’s return to the superhero genre, which began not with Spider-Man, but with Darkman. We may actually see the return of Darkman as Sam Raimi told The Wrap that Universal Pictures have been talking about a Darkman legacy sequel.
Yes. Universal is talking about a Darkman sequel. There’s a producer attached. I haven’t heard the story yet or gone into it, I’ve been so busy with [Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness]. But I think it’s cool.
Sam Raimi had long wanted to direct a comic-book movie and decided to create his own hero after trying and failing to acquire the rights to Batman and The Shadow. Darkman starred Liam Neeson as Peyton Westlake, a brilliant scientist developing synthetic skin who was brutally attacked, disfigured, and left for dead by mobsters. He survived, but the treatment left him with super-human abilities and a side of mental instability. Sam Raimi doesn’t know if Liam Neeson would be down to return for a Darkman sequel, but he would love to have him back if so. “I don’t know if he’d do it,” Raimi said. “But he’d be incredible.“
Nothing has been officially confirmed about a possible Darkman sequel, but if it does move forward, it’s possible that Liam Neeson may indeed be interested. The actor was asked just last month if he’d be interested in returning to Darkman, and he said, “That’s a good question. I would be very interested in reading the script. Very.” The original Darkman movie spawned two sequels that saw Arnold Vosloo taking on Liam Neeson’s role. There was also a pilot for a Darkman TV series that wasn’t picked up. Would you be interested in a proper Darkman sequel if Sam Raimi and Liam Neeson were involved?
You can check out a review of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness from our own Chris Bumbray right here.