After years of devoted fan campaigns for a sequel to the 2012 movie Dredd, it appears that we will finally see a new film in the Judge Dredd franchise. However, this time it won’t be the follow-up many expected.
The Origin of Judge Dredd
Judge Dredd was created by writer John Wagner and illustrator Carlos Ezquerra and made its debut in the British comic 2000 AD. This cult sci-fi character has had two major film adaptations. The first was Sylvester Stallone’s movie from 1995, which fell flat with both fans and critics. In contrast, the 2012 film Dredd, starring Karl Urban, received positive reviews, even though it didn’t perform well at the box office. Over time, however, it gained a significant cult following.
A New Direction with Taika Waititi
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Taika Waititi will direct a reboot of Judge Dredd. Known for his work on the MCU’s Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder, Waititi also has a strong background in comedy with hits like What We Do in the Shadows and Jojo Rabbit. The script for the new film will be penned by Drew Pearce, who is recognized for his work on Iron Man 3 and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation. This reboot aims to stay truer to the original comics compared to earlier adaptations.
What’s Happening with Waititi’s Other Projects?
This news about Waititi’s Judge Dredd project comes shortly after his long-anticipated remake of Akira, which was in development at Warner Bros., was reportedly scrapped. While there has been buzz about Marvel Studios considering Thor 5, it seems unlikely that Waititi will be at the helm, especially after the mixed reviews for Thor: Love and Thunder. If he focuses on Judge Dredd, it might push back his planned Star Wars film, first announced in 2020. Currently, Lucasfilm has other projects in the works, including a Mandalorian spin-off set for 2026.
A History of Dredd Sequels and Spin-offs
Despite the box office struggles of Dredd in 2012, the film has remained popular enough to keep the conversation alive about potential sequels. Star Karl Urban, along with producer Adi Shankar and writer Alex Garland, has hinted at various follow-up projects over the years. Back in 2017, there was even talk of a TV series titled Judge Dredd: Mega-City One, where Urban was supposed to reprise his role. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the series was put on indefinite hold in 2020. While there was optimism about getting the show off the ground, it seems the reboot is now taking precedence.
Waititi’s Unique Fit for Judge Dredd
Although it may seem unusual to have Waititi, known for his comedic style, attached to Judge Dredd, his approach could actually align well with the original comic series. The Judge Dredd stories often used dark humor to satirize the judicial system and were created during a politically charged time in Britain, particularly under Margaret Thatcher’s leadership. Given today’s societal issues, such as immigration raids and calls to reform police funding, the themes in Judge Dredd resonate more than ever.
In summary, while fans of the 2012 film might have hoped for a direct sequel, the upcoming Judge Dredd reboot offers a fresh take, led by Taika Waititi and keeping the essence of the original comics in mind. Whether this latest attempt will capture the heart of Dredd fans remains to be seen, but it certainly brings hope for new storytelling possibilities in the universe of Judge Dredd.
