Despite the fact that most of the early reviews are negative (not ours though), Alex Cross will be receiving a sequel in the form of Double Cross, based on the novel of the same name by author James Patterson.
Deadline reports that QED International, who was behind Alex Cross, are in the process of acquiring the rights to Double Cross, which will once again star Tyler Perry as the titular detective.
If you’re unfamiliar with the novel, you can check out the summary below:
Bestseller Patterson’s 13th “Alex Cross” thriller (after 2006’s Cross) pits the legendary profiler, now retired from law enforcement and working as a psychiatrist in private practice, against two serial killers. Kyle Craig, Cross’s former colleague in the FBI (who was revealed to be the Mastermind, a particularly vicious and resourceful murderer, in 2001’s “Violets Are Blue”), has managed to escape from a Colorado maximum-security prison and is steadily working his way through his list of those he holds responsible for his capture and incarceration.
Cross, who heads the list, is drawn back into police work by his love interest, Maryland homicide detective Brianna Stone, who’s been assigned to the task force focusing on the D.C. Audience Killer (or DCAK), who stages high-profile and sadistic murders to get the most public attention possible. Even newcomers will find themselves turning the pages to see how everything turns out, but significant plot holes and implausibilities make this a far cry from the similar, but far more suspenseful, two-front war waged by Clarice Starling in “The Silence of the Lambs”.
It’s a pretty ambitious move, going for the sequel before the first film even opens, especially considering the negative buzz. Now, if Alex Cross does tank completely, these plans may be scrapped but given Perry’s fanbase, and the novel’s fanbase, I can’t see it bombing too badly.
Personally, I’m looking forward to Alex Cross. I’m interested to see both Perry and Matthew Fox stepping out of their comfort zones and honestly, the trailers don’t look too bad. I’m not expecting anything groundbreaking but give me a solid detective thriller and I’ll be happy.
What do you think? Will Alex Cross warrant a sequel? Have you read Double Cross? Are you happy that Perry is going to reprise the role?