As a child, I grew up on the rough and tough action-oriented antics of super stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone. Whether I was getting my ass to Mars, pondering how exactly to use the Three Seashells, or feeling dead tired, the muscles and mayhem that were part and parcel with Sly and Arnie flicks were always welcome in my family home. So naturally, when I found out about ESCAPE PLAN (2013), I rushed to see it as soon as it was available. Truthfully, I thought the movie was pretty decent, better than I would have anticipated, actually. I mean, it didn’t blow me away or anything, but the on-screen chemistry between long-time friends Schwarzenegger and Stallone was enough to keep me engaged throughout the film’s duration.
Today, it’s been confirmed that director Steven C. Miller will helm ESCAPE PLAN 2, a direct sequel to the original film. As a co-production between Emmett/Furla/Oasis and Chinese company Leomus Pictures, with a script by Miles Chapman, ESCAPE PLAN 2 will again feature Sylvester Stallone as former prosecutor turned inmate Ray Breslin. Unfortunately, the word is still out as to whether Arnie’s Emil Rottmayer character will be returning to the series, but there’s still time to lock that down as preparations for the movie begin to take shape.
No concrete plot details regarding ESCAPE PLAN 2 have been confirmed, though if it’s anything like the original, you can bet that Breslin will once again have his back stacked against the seemingly impossible odds of escaping incarceration alongside an eclectic cast of prison buddies. Although, seeing as the lion's share of the international gross for the original film came from China, I would assume that ESCAPE PLAN 2 will feature some manner of Chinese story elements.
What do you all think? Are you up for another round of Sly versus the prison system? Is the question of whether or not Arnold will be involved make or break this film for you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Currently, Schwarzenegger is in the process of filming JOURNEY TO CHINA: THE MYSTERY OF THE IRON MASK which is scheduled for a 2017 release. Meanwhile, you can catch Sylvester Stallone in GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 set to land in theaters on May 5, 2017!