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Max Landis Says Josh Trank is Unlikely to Direct 'Chronicle' Sequel
by Ethan Anderton
April 30, 2012
Source: Me Movies
Earlier this year the found footage super powered film Chronicle impressed some critics and audiences alike with a unique, grounded approach to the superhero genre. In March it was confirmed that a sequel was being developed and the film's original writer, Max Landis, son of veteran filmmaker John Landis, would be behind the script. But what about director Josh Trank? He's been offered major comic book movies like Fantastic Four (which he is close to directing next) and Venom and might not have time for a Chronicle sequel. Well, Me Movies caught up with Landis who talked a bit about the plans for the sequel.
First of all, Landis flat out says that Josh Trank is unlikely to direct the sequel: "Josh is all over the place with other projects. I'm also all over the place with other projects, but Chronicle is really my baby. Josh will probably be involved in some respect but right now I just want to get the script done." So for now, figuring out the story is what's most important, and Landis explains that Chronicle was mostly about the world's first superhero, mainly because the story is grounded in reality and not some fantasy world. However, he says Chronicle 2 will be about the world's first super villain. That likely means Andrew (Dane DeHaan) will be back for some more mayhem, and likely more powerful than ever.
In addition, Landis had an interesting approach to the idea of found footage as a narrative device and how to keep that alive in the sequel, at least the footage from the first film anyway:
"Small spoiler - the movie you saw [Chronicle] in the sequel, is a thing. That edited footage… is a thing. So it’s not like 'we found this footage after this kids died'. You can’t deny cars being thrown in the air in Seattle. You saw all those helicopters. The world changed. That’s the end of Chronicle. And things are going to be different now. They can’t possibly cover up what happened."
That sounds a bit confusing, but what he means is that the footage plays a role in the sequel. Almost as if it was a real news story that we would see show up online. Might that have an influence on another kid with powers across the world? Either way, at its heart, Landis says Chronicle is like a blend of X-Men and Stand by Me with "a character driven story where things go progressively more crazy." Everyday kids find themselves affected by having superpowers in real life. It sounds glamorous, but there's a real moral conundrum here, and you have to think, that if normal people got super powers, some would use them for bad, and others for good. If you want to watch the whole video interview with Landis, head over to Me Movies. In the meantime, stay tuned as we hear more about the development of Chronicle 2.
13 Comments
1
Sad to see Trank go but he needs to go on and direct other features. As for a sequel...well maybe if it goes the docu route with a camera in Matt's hand then I might be inclined to check it out.
Xerxexx on Apr 30, 2012
2
Dug the movie. Some of the fx were so so but overall I thought they did a good job.
Buzzfunk on Apr 30, 2012
3
Does the movie really need a sequel? I felt that it was a good ending and it should be left at that.
Chris Amaya on May 1, 2012
4
I agree, I felt this way about Taken as well, but alas, if a film makes a lot of money they can't just let it be. I'll be really pissed if they bring Andrew back from the dead for a sequel though.
peloquin on May 1, 2012
5
Crap, I'd delete that comment if I could... SPOILER ALERT ABOVE!!!!!!!!
peloquin on May 1, 2012
6
Thanks, man. I haven't seen the movie yet 😉
Max Renn on May 1, 2012
7
This is rule : (only those sequels become WORTH that will be made in hands of someone WORTH) Alien 1(Scott)2(Cameron)/terminator 1&2(Cameron)/Bourne 2&3(Green Grass)/Batman1&2(Burton)/Batman(Nolan)/LOR(Jackson)/Blade1(norington)2(deltoro)/Godfather(cupola)/matrix(wachowski)/fast furious3.4.5(Justin Lin) Harry potter3 was exceptional. If trank want get out,ok,not important But the sequel always want a smart clever guy, if you don't have such person,don't make sequel,take that money and spend it in another original story or even take it to poor guy to buy a ferrari and at least he become happy!!!!!!!! I really don't want something like ironman2
Ehsan Davodi on May 1, 2012
8
Max Landis *is* that 'smart clever guy,' not Trank. Landis is one of the hottest screenwriters in Hollywood at the moment, juggling multiple projects, one of which he just sold to Disney. At only 26 years old, Max is already adept at the most important part of making a film: storytelling.
BeepBeepRichie on May 1, 2012
9
But I think many great script ruin in hands of directors, specially directors debut, found footage super power is new idea and very hard decision for directorial debut because no one else in past made such movies, but this one had brilliant script and astonishing directing, I think tank new talented guy and I love phenomenal in hollywood
Ehsan Davodi on May 1, 2012
10
This is wonderful news. We need to keep drunk directors and cameramen out of filming. This "found footage" aka Drunk Staff Syndrome has got to stop.
. Shannara on May 1, 2012
11
Watched this for the first time yesterday and was extremely impressed. There's definitely room for a sequel and I hope that they don't cock it up by over-doing things.
Candle_Wick on May 1, 2012
12
The guy in the header picture looks just like Leonardo DiCaprio in Romeo and Juliet, imo.
SuicidalOptimist on May 1, 2012
13
I can see that. But he also looks like he's screaming:"I WANT MOAR MONEY!!" ..or cookies..i like cookies..
Guest on May 2, 2012
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