While 2016’sThe Nice Guyswasn’t a massive box office hit, it has achieved a high level of cult status since its initial release. The movie gained even more notoriety followingRyan Gosling’s Oscar-nominated comedic turn inBarbie, as fans were quick to point out that The Nice Guys was another showcase of Gosling’s hilarious sensibilities. Many have been wanting a sequel to the film, but one hasn’t materialized over the years, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely off the table. As the producers put it, it’s something that could happen if it was financially feasible.
During a chat withScreen Rant, producer Ken Kao recently addressed whether a sequel to the film could happen. While nothing is in the works, he did point out that if a sequel could come together that would make financial sense, the notion of a follow-up could be a realistic conversation.
“Funny enough, [producer] Joel Silver had reached out to a mutual acquaintance of mine and brought up Nice Guys this past week, and it sparked a conversation about exactly [that]. Like, ‘What would it take, maybe, to get [The Nice Guys] to happen again?'” And I think that we just have to make it on budget. I think that continues to be the producers’ challenge and the filmmakers' challenge now."
The Nice Guys
When continuing to discuss the matter of a sequel, Kao pointed out that they have to make films in a"sustainable"way and that movies can’t be made that just don’t work at the box office. Streaming has become a more viable option, but the producer stresses that those platforms don’t just hand out money for projects on a whim. Essentially, Kao explains that the people behind these films need to be rewarded substantially for these projects to be greenlit.
“I think the sign of the times is that we’ve just got to make films in a sustainable and responsible way. We can’t keep having movies that don’t work at the box office, and it seems like streamers aren’t going to just cut blank checks anymore. So we’ve got to figure out a way in this industry to make movies in ways that reward the people that make them. That also are made in a contained way where those that are releasing the films can continue to feel incentivized to do so. And I think that’s the task, that’s the challenge for us, as producers, to pull that off.”
The Nice Guys Scored Big With Critics but Not at the Box Office
The Nice Guyswas released to rave reviews from critics, registering a 91 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite solid notices, the film only achieved a modest box office, grossing $36.3 million domestically and $62.8 million against a $50 million budget. The film wasn’t an outright failure, but Warner Bros. likely expected a bit more from the film. When Gosling spoke on the matter of a sequel recently, he believed that its chancesdwindled during the film’s opening weekendwhen it lost out toThe Angry Birds Movie.
Why It’s a Perfect Time for The Nice Guys 2
The Nice Guys was a breath of fresh air among theatrical releases in 2016. Now is a perfect time for a sequel. Here’s why.
Despite the so-so box office results, The Nice Guys has gained a cult following due to its exposure on streaming services and airings on cable. Whether or not this would be enough to get a sequel made remains to be seen, but it does indicate that there is an audience that is very interested in seeing a follow-up.
Directed by Shane Black, who co-wrote the screenplay with Anthony Bagarozzi,The Nice Guysis set in 1997 Los Angeles and focuses on private eye Holland March (Gosling) and tough enforcer for hire Jackson Healy (Crowe) as they team up to investigate the disappearance of a teenage girl. The film also stars Angourie Rice, Matt Bomer, Margaret Qualley, Keith David, and Kim Basinger.
The Nice Guysis available to buy or rent on Prime Video.
