Sam Raimi’s original superhero might be making a comeback. Long before the acclaimed director cast a spell with Doctor Strange or spun a web with Spider-Man, he was lurking in the shadows with Universal’s Darkman. Released in 1990, the movie follows Liam Neeson’s Dr. Peyton Westlake, who becomes the vigilante Darkman after being brutally attacked, disfigured, and left for dead by a mysterious criminal organization. He uses breakthroughs in his work to develop synthetic disguises, which he combines with his newly psychotic nature to exact revenge on those who wronged him. The film was intended to be the start of a franchise, but poor box office reception put a halt to any theatrically released sequels. Now, over 30 years later, audiences may finally get one.
Darkman, which also starred Academy Award winner Frances McDormand, spawned two direct-to-video sequels, made without Raimi behind the camera or the original cast. However, speaking with The Wrap, the former Evil Dead filmmaker revealed Universal has recently expressed interest in reviving the series:
Universal is talking about a Darkman sequel. There’s a producer attached. I haven’t heard the story yet or gone into it, I’ve been so busy with this movie [Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness]. But I think it’s cool.
Sam Raimi
As for whether or not Neeson would return to the role, after being replaced by Arnold Vosloo in both of the low budget follow-ups, Raimi wasn’t sure:
I don’t know if he’d do it, but he’d be incredible.
Sam Raimi
The possibility of a proper Darkman 2 is likely due to Raimi’s recent comeback in popularity. His latest superhero venture, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, just released to rave reviews, and the director’s dedicated cult of fans is hungry for more. It will probably be a long time before any more information on this topic is made public, but the fact it’s even being talked about is something pretty special, and a good sign for the future of Raimi on the big screen.
Source: The Wrap
