Hugh Jackman's Hidden Gem: The MCU Star Persistence for a Long-Awaited Sequel After 10+ Years

MCU star Anthony Mackie continues to advocate for a sequel to Real Steel, the underrated science-fiction film starring Hugh Jackman. Real Steel, directed by Shawn Levy and set in a future where robot boxing is a popular sport, was released in 2011. Jackman portrays ex-boxer Charlie Kenton, who trains a discarded robot to become a champion, while Mackie portrays Finn, Charlie's friend and owner of a boxing club. Although the movie had moderate success at the box office and there were talks of a sequel, no follow-up film has been made yet.

In a recent interview with Inverse, Mackie expresses his ongoing enthusiasm for the possibility of Real Steel 2 alongside Jackman. He reveals that he still reaches out to Levy a couple of times a year to discuss the potential sequel. Below, you can find Mackie's comment about Real Steel 2.

“It was supposed to be a trilogy. It was supposed to be three or four movies together.”

What Could Real Steel 2 Be About?

A Real Steel TV show for Disney Plus is currently in development, as the sequel movie remains stuck in development. Levy is set to produce the show, which was announced last year. The nature of the show, whether it will be a reboot, prequel, or sequel, remains unknown. However, Levy confirmed in December that the show is actively being developed and shows promise. No further updates have been shared thus far.

Regarding Real Steel 2, the film appears to be a direct continuation of the first movie, and Hugh Jackman seems open to reprising his role. Director Shawn Levy initially found it challenging to come up with a story idea for the sequel in 2016, but in 2021, he expressed his desire to unite Jackman with Ryan Reynolds in Real Steel 2. Since Reynolds did not feature in the first film, he would likely play a new character, possibly an ally like Finn to Jackman's Charlie, or even a formidable opponent in the robot boxing ring.

The conclusion of Real Steel provides a satisfying resolution to Charlie's character arc and his battle against Tak Mashido, with his robot Atom earning the title of the "People's Champion" despite their loss in the ring. While a sequel could introduce a new antagonist for Charlie and Atom, there is a possibility for Mashido to make a return in some capacity after his humiliation. It remains uncertain if the Real Steel sequel or TV show will materialize, but several parties involved are evidently enthusiastic about its potential.

Source: Inverse