Breaking Boundaries: Extraction 2 Director Plans Epic One-Shot Scene to Surpass Oldboy

Director Sam Hargrave has set high expectations for the one-shot scene in the upcoming Netflix action sequel, Extraction 2. Building on the success of the first film, the sequel follows Chris Hemsworth's character, Tyler Rake, as he embarks on a new mission to rescue a Georgian gangster's family from prison. Written by Joe Russo and directed by Hargrave, Extraction 2 promises to expand on the franchise in exciting ways. Hargrave spoke exclusively with Screen Rant to discuss the challenges of raising the scale of the predecessor and creating a one-shot scene to rival Oldboy, a note included in the script by writer Joe Russo.

How Extraction 2 Tops Original Movie's One-Shot Scene

Sequels come with a certain level of expectation, and I accepted that when I signed on. The audience wants more of what they loved in the first film, but with added elements like character development and bigger adventures. We knew it was a daunting task, so we surrounded ourselves with talented individuals, including a great stunt team. The idea for the sequel had initially started with a prison escape scene, but we didn't know where it would take place or what Tyler Rake would be doing. The script described the sequence as one that would rival Oldboy and be the greatest oner in cinema history. While it sounded amazing on paper, it was my job to make it a reality. The sequence had to be designed twice since the production was moved from Australia to Prague due to COVID-19. Despite the challenges, we had an adaptable stunt team and were able to create a fun and thrilling sequence that included a prison escape, car chase, and train sequence. The structure of the scene remained the same, but we had to make adjustments to fit the new location.

The one-shot scene featured in Extraction received widespread acclaim for its impressive display of multiple hand-to-hand fights and a thrilling car chase. The latter portion of the scene was so intense that it resulted in both near misses and actual accidents, including director Sam Hargrave nearly being crushed between two vehicles and a dedicated stuntman breaking his foot yet continuing with another take. Critics and audiences alike were captivated by the 12-minute sequence, solidifying it as one of the most talked-about elements of the 2020 film.

The one-shot scene in Extraction 2 sets the bar high for action movies, showcasing a longer sequence than its predecessor. Clocking in at 21 minutes, the scene involves a helicopter, a moving train, and a choreographed fight with 300 extras. Trailers for the film give a glimpse of the intense action, with Hemsworth fighting through a prison filled with inmates, even while on fire. With talk of a possible Extraction 3 and the enthusiasm of both the Russo brothers and Hemsworth for future installments, fans are eager to see how the team can top themselves once again.