Ryan Reynolds, often hailed as the internet’s ultimate crush, has endeared himself to audiences worldwide with his extensive repertoire of films.
In 2024, Reynolds aficionados have much to anticipate, with his upcoming projects including a collaboration with John Krasinski in the intriguingly titled “If,” along with his highly anticipated debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with “Deadpool 3.” However, fans who were charmed by Reynolds’ portrayal of the affable NPC, Guy, in “Free Guy” are eagerly hoping for the possibility of a sequel in 2025. The original “Free Guy,” released in 2021, showcased Reynolds as the titular character—a non-playable character who unexpectedly becomes the hero of the digital realm he inhabits.
Raking in over $300 million worldwide, “Free Guy” proved to be a substantial success for 20th Century Studios. Both critics and audiences found its concept intriguing and its characters endearing. Upon its streaming debut on Max and Disney Plus in February 2022, it even claimed the title of the most-watched film across all streaming platforms in its inaugural week, as reported by JustWatch. So, the burning question remains: is a sequel on the horizon?
Addressing the fervent speculation, Ryan Reynolds took to Twitter following the film’s triumphant opening weekend to confirm Disney’s green light for a sequel to “Free Guy.” Serving as both a producer and the lead star in the original film, Reynolds wasted no time in committing to the follow-up endeavor. Additionally, during press engagements for “The Last Duel,” actress Jodie Comer expressed her willingness to reprise her role for a sequel. In March 2022, Steve Asbell, President of 20th Century Studios, confirmed that a script for “Free Guy 2” had been submitted to the studio.
However, while the sequel is indeed in development, director Shawn Levy revealed during promotion for his Netflix series “All the Light We Cannot See” that the creative team has encountered unexpected challenges in crafting the story. Surprisingly, these hurdles stem from another cinematic juggernaut—Barbie. Levy disclosed in an interview with Collider that Barbie’s exploration of self-aware characters has prompted a reevaluation of the narrative direction for “Free Guy 2.”
Levy emphasized that any sequel to “Free Guy” must distinguish itself from its predecessor and from other similar films, such as Barbie, in order to justify its existence. Both Levy and Reynolds have iterated on multiple occasions that they are in no rush to push forward with the sequel unless they can conceive a story that matches or exceeds the quality of the original “Free Guy.” As of now, the quest for that elusive narrative gem continues, but fans eagerly await updates on their progress.
