Key Takeaways:
– Hollywood nearly green-lit an explosive sequel to the 90s hit film Air Force One, featuring Harrison Ford.
– The sequel would have seen Ford's character in a politically volatile situation on an Air Force carrier.
– Despite the intriguing plot, Hollywood chose not to move forward, missing a potential blockbuster.
– The original Air Force One was a hit, thanks in part to Kevin Costner passing the role to Ford due to scheduling conflicts.
Introduction
In the action-packed world of Hollywood, sequel ideas often flow, but not all of them hit the big screen. One such idea was a high-octane sequel to the 1997 Harrison Ford hit, Air Force One. Ready yourselves for a dive into the sequel that could have been, with Ford's character putting aside the hijacked plane for a grandiose Air Force carrier!
The Air Force One Sequel That Nearly Happened
Amid the sea of 90s films, Air Force One stood out. The action flick featuring an iconic Harrison Ford as President James Marshall was nothing short of adrenaline. Recalling the movie's high-flying action and memorable line, “Get off my plane!”, it's no surprise that the idea of a sequel was on the table.
Screenwriter Andrew Marlowe, the creative mind behind the original film, had an exciting idea for the sequel. In an interview with Syfy, he spilled the beans about the plot. The sequel would have featured Ford's character in a politically unstable situation on an Air Force carrier. It was envisioned as an electrifying blend of action and political intrigue, redefining the presidential action genre.
Why Hollywood Passed on The Sequel
As electrifying as the sequel sounds, it missed the final green signal from Hollywood. While it had potential, Marlowe admitted they couldn't quite find a storyline that felt fresh enough or built perfectly on the success of the first film. Furthermore, the ‘President in danger on a hijacked vessel' plot seemed a bit too similar to Steven Seagal's Under Siege.
Despite the intriguing idea, Air Force One 2 never took off. It appears to be a missed opportunity in the world of sequels. Yet, fans of the original can still enjoy the thrill of Air Force One and relish in Ford's heroic takedowns.
The Unexpected Twist Behind the Original Air Force One
Did you know Kevin Costner was first offered the leading role in Air Force One? However, scheduling clashes resulted in him passing it to Ford. This gesture ended up being a massive commercial win for Ford. Air Force One, made on an $85M budget, raked in over $300M at the box office. Meanwhile, Costner's film, The Postman, comparatively sank low, with a meager $17M. It's an interesting trivia about how Hollywood's dynamics work.
Conclusion
Hollywood is an unpredictable beast. An exciting sequel idea like Air Force One 2 can sometimes fall through the cracks. We can only fantasize about older and wiser Ford steering us through another global crisis on an enormous warship. Meanwhile, let's rewatch the original Air Force One, available on Disney+, and recall when Harrison Ford single-handedly saved the day!
