The Future of Joe Manganiello's Cult Superhero Movie Sequel: Exciting Surprises Await!

Summary

The founders of Legion M reveal their keenness to broaden the horizons of the superhero film Archenemy, as they engage in discussions with writer/director Adam Egypt Mortimer, exploring possible concepts for a sequel.

Despite the timing challenges posed by its release during the COVID pandemic, Archenemy has managed to captivate audiences with its delightful universe and vibrant ensemble of characters. This has sparked anticipation for future projects, such as a comic book or graphic novel, which could further explore this captivating world.

Joe Manganiello's remarkable performance in Archenemy not only highlights his potential as a leading figure in the superhero franchise realm but also creates a splendid chance to rekindle his contribution to the comic book/superhero genre through a sequel.

Legion M founders Paul Scanlan and Jeff Annison have expressed their interest in a potential sequel to Archenemy. The superhero thriller, led by Joe Manganiello, received positive reviews and left room for further expansion. During an interview for their latest project, Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose, Scanlan and Annison confirmed their desire to explore the universe created by writer/director Adam Egypt Mortimer. They discussed their previous conversations with Mortimer, who had ideas that could be connected to the Archenemy universe. Find out more in the excerpt below.

Paul Scanlan mentioned that they are aware of Adam's other movie, but they would need to check the details. Although they were interested in that movie previously, it didn't align with their schedule at the time. However, they express their admiration for Adam Egypt Mortimer and their desire to collaborate with him again, just like they would with Adam Sigal. In fact, there isn't a single director they have worked with to date that they wouldn't be willing to work with again.

They believe in promoting diversity, an aspect that holds great significance for their community. As an example, they highlight their movie "Mandy" featuring Nicolas Cage. As much as they continue to appreciate Cage's talent, they didn't want to be limited to just working on Nicolas Cage movies. Given their relatively smaller size, they didn't want to be perceived as being exclusively associated with Cage.

Now that some time has passed, we are prepared to embark on another Nic Cage movie. We have interleaved various other projects in the meantime, and a similar situation likely applies to Adam. While I find the project to be quite intriguing, I am uncertain of its current status – whether it has been completed or released.

Jeff Annison: It's also notable that, considering just Archenemy, we could explore the possibility of a follow-up, a sequel, or something along those lines. Unfortunately, the timing of the movie's release during the COVID period has posed challenges. Nevertheless, I believe it offers an enjoyable universe and a vibrant cast of characters. I remain hopeful that there may be potential for future endeavors, even if it takes the form of a comic book or a graphic novel to expand upon that universe. Beginning there could be an enjoyable starting point. Therefore, we'll see what unfolds, and perhaps, with optimism, our wishes may materialize if we express them and put them out into the world.

Paul Scanlan: I feel like Jeff and I have a similar perspective. Archenemy could potentially have the same impact as Beyond the Black Rainbow had for Mandy. It sets a solid foundation and paves the way for something exciting. Grant, your idea is intriguing, and if we approach Adam with it, we'll make sure to credit you. I recall speaking to Adam, and he has other ideas that tie into that universe. We thoroughly enjoy collaborating with Joe Manganiello, and we're still actively discussing various projects with him. I'm confident he would also show interest in this.

Editor's Note: This content was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. The existence of the movie discussed here would not be possible without the diligent work of the writers and actors in both unions.

Archenemy 2 Can Make Up For DC Failing Manganiello

When Mortimer released Archenemy, he hinted that it was part of his unofficial "Vortex Trilogy," starting with Daniel Isn't Real. He had ideas about blending the eponymous evil entity from the 2019 horror hit with Manganiello's character for a unique cosmic horror/cosmic action combination. Fans of M. Night Shyamalan may find this concept familiar, as he connected the seemingly unrelated Unbreakable and Split in the final moments of the latter movie, leading to the trilogy closer Glass, which disappointed both critics and audiences.

Regardless of the direction Mortimer chooses for a follow-up, Manganiello's powerful performance in the 2020 movie adds more evidence that he is deserving of leading a superhero franchise in some capacity. Starting off as the notorious Flash Thompson in the iconic Spider-Man series, Manganiello was set to shine as Deathstroke in the DC Extended Universe, appearing in the post-credits scenes of both Justice League and Zack Snyder's Justice League. However, with James Gunn's upcoming DC Universe reboot, his future as the character looks uncertain.

Both Manganiello and the actor's fans were deeply disappointed by the missed opportunity of his portrayal as Deathstroke. They have expressed a strong desire to see more of him in the superhero genre, and Archenemy 2 seems to be the ideal platform for bringing back this character. With plenty of room to delve into his character's backstory and the potential for his survival despite a sacrificial fall in the previous film's conclusion, Manganiello's notable success in his previous role as Max Fist ensures that a sequel would be highly rewarding.