All the ingredients seemed to be in place to make THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. a hit but it just didn't quite come together. Directed by Guy Ritchie and based on the MGM television series of the same name, the film starred Armie Hammer and Henry Cavill and really tapped into Ritchie's signature strengths as a filmmaker. Unfortunately, the film was met with mixed reviews and only managed to gross $45.4 million at the domestic box office and $109.8 million worldwide. With a budget of $75 million, the gross wasn't enough to break even but the movie has since gained a bit of a cult following as more people have discovered spy film. Some of that increased following has sparked the occasional talk about a sequel and star Armie Hammer is still hoping they can get one made.
In an interview with "CinemaBlend", Hammer expressed his love for the movie, and his eagerness to get a sequel made:
"Trust me, if someone was like, 'Hey, do you want to do a sequel?' I would be like, 'Hell yeah, let's go!' … I hear it. I get people being like, 'Are you going to do a sequel?' The answer is, 'I hope so! I'd love to.' At one point, Lionel Wigram, who was the producer and also who wrote the original script, he and I talked about ideas and he told me an idea that he had for it, and I was like, 'That sounds great! Whatever your idea [is], let's just do it!' I don't know, man. Keep pushing. Hopefully one day we can do it. I'd love to do it."
The film told the story of CIA agent Napoleon Solo, played by Henry Cavill, and KGB operative Illya Kuryakin, played by Armie Hammer. At the height of the Cold War, the two must learn to put their differences aside in order to track down an arms dealer looking to supply Nazis with nuclear weaponry. The movie also starred Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki, Jared Harris, and Hugh Grant. The ending of the movie was clearly intended to start a franchise but no real traction has been made on that in the last five years. The film's growing cult following over the years is promising but the financial return of the first film, or lack thereof, is likely standing in the way of getting a sequel made.
I actually enjoyed THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. and a lot of that was due to Ritchies' stylish direction and the charismatic performances of its two leads. I certainly wouldn't mind seeing a sequel but it's likely wishful thinking at this point. Do YOU want to see a sequel to THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.?