Thanks the relatively recent craze of delivering sequels to popular movies decades after the last installment, it’s becoming harder and harder to say that any property is ever truly dead and buried. With that in mind, there shouldn’t be any reason to abandon hope that the greatest threequel never made might yet become a reality; which is of course Crank 3.
Jason Statham’s deranged two outings as Chev Chelios may not be to everyone’s taste, but both the opening installment and its even more demented sequel High Voltage proved to be massively profitable ventures that developed a loyal cult following, without even mentioning the fact the off-the-wall insanity makes them a pair of the most uniquely unhinged actioners of the 21st Century.
On combined production costs of only $32 million, the duology hauled in $77 million at the box office and brought in additional home video revenue north of $50 million, so why didn’t Crank 2‘s blatant tease for another madcap adventure come to fruition? It was in the works for a hot minute – complete with the tantalizing addition of 3D – but it’s now 14 years since High Voltage and there’s nothing to show for it.
Statham is a big enough star to will it into existence if he wanted to, but directorial duo Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor have since gone their separate ways, which may well be the biggest sticking point. Then again – and no offense intended – they were much better together than they have been alone, so maybe they can kiss and make up to give the world what it deserves.