David Oyelowo is already a producer for the upcoming The Rocketeer 2 film. He may also end up starring in this film. This film is a sequel to the 1991 cult-classic. While the original film took place before World War II in Hollywood, this one will take place after the war and focus on a former Tuskegee airman who comes into possession of the Rocketeer suit. Recently, in an interview with The Wrap, he provided and update on the film.
“We have forward momentum,” he shared. “I know you guys hear this stuff all the time, but we are in the script development stage and if you’re going to reinvigorate that beloved franchise, you better come with the goods. And so Eugene Ashe is currently writing away and we were talking about it only this week. We’re all very committed to that. But it’s going to have to be great and we will not rest until it is.”
Oyelowo was also asked what made him think he had a unique take on this film. “Well, I loved the original film. I remember seeing it, and again, not unlike the cowboy genre, there was something about it, the aspirational, inspirational, heroic quality of it. I also liked that it was sort of a bit more DIY and do it yourself in terms of the pack. It wasn’t superpowers. It was a guy. It just felt more grounded somehow,” Oyelowo said.
He added more saying, “That is something that I think the original film had to do a little bit more heavy lifting around is… Second, he’s this circus pilot, and then how does he get to do that? And all that kind of stuff. But a guy coming out of World War II who is an ace at what he does, those skills are transferable. And that became the jump off for what felt like, and thankfully Disney agreed, a very exciting way into doing this story in a slightly different way.”
Soaring above 1938 Hollywood, The Rocketeer tells the story of Cliff Secord, a stunt pilot who becomes a masked hero after finding a hidden jetpack. But Nazi spies and mobsters want it too, leading Cliff to take flight in thrilling aerial battles while juggling Hollywood romance and saving the day from sinister forces. Disney released the film in 1991, hoping it would lead to a successful franchise and be the next Batman. This, however, didn’t happen as the film was not a commercial success. However, things have changed through the years as fans have come to love the film. This clearly led Disney to think it is worth once again exploring another story in this universe.
What do you think about The Rocketeer getting a sequel? What do you think about this update? Are you excited to see it if it does come to fruition? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
