Hope remains forEdge of Tomorrow 2to become an actual movie that happens, rather than a long-hoped-for sequel that never materializes. DirectorDoug Liman’s 2014 sci-fi actioner didn’t explode at the box office, but it earned high critical praise and grew its legion of fans once it hit home video, offering up a smart and refreshingly unique blockbuster that stood in direct contrast to the plainness of other big-budget fare. Liman, starsTom CruiseandEmily Blunt, and writerChristopher McQuarrieall expressed interest and desire to make a sequel, and while it’s been in development for a few years, Liman saysEdge of Tomorrow 2may finally be close to happening.
Collider’s own Christina Radish caught up with Liman at the TCA’s, where the filmmaker was promoting his upcoming YouTube seriesImpulse, and Liman revealed that scheduling issues forEdge of Tomorrow 2have already been worked out—right now it’s all about the script:
“We’re just working on the script… [We’re no longer working on scheduling issues], now it’s down to we have a window where we could go do it, and we’re frantically working on the script. It’s one of those movies that we’ll only go make if we love the script. It’s not one of those things where the studio is pushing us to make it and they don’t really care if it’s good or not. If the movie happens, it will be because Emily Blunt, Tom Cruise and myself are passionate about making it, which is a great place to be. She doesn’t need this movie, he doesn’t need this movie, and I don’t need it. We’re gonna make it if we really believe in it. We have story that the three of us love, so we’re working hard on the script.”
McQuarrie, who did extensive work on the script forEdge of Tomorrow, came up with the idea for the sequel while writersJoe ShrapnelandAnna Waterhousepenned the actual screenplay for the follow-up (McQuarrie’s been busy writing and directingMission: Impossible 6for the last year and a half).Liman said last Octoberthat scheduling was the biggest hurdle, so now it appears everyone involved has found an optimal window to shoot the movie, it just depends on ensuring they have a script worth shooting:
So how soon is that window? IsEdge of Tomorrow 2Liman’s next film?
“It could be. It has the possibility of being my next film.”
Liman just entered post-production on the sci-fi YA adaptationChaos Walking, starringDaisy RidleyandTom Holland, and while he doesn’t confirm when the window to shootEdge of Tomorrow 2would be, it seems feasible it could be in front of cameras at the end of this year or sometime in the first or second quarter of 2019.
Chaos Walkinghas a 2019 release date, so that would give Liman the bulk of this year to finish that up. Blunt most recently wrapped the thrillerA Quiet Placeand doesn’t have any impending shoots on her schedule (at least officially) for 2018, and Cruise is due to shootTop Gun: Maverickat some point this year and potentially filmQuentin Tarantino’s new moviethis summer if he decides to sign on to that project.
Again nothing’s confirmed for whenEdge of Tomorrow 2filming might begin, but the window of availability for Cruise, Blunt, and Liman would appear to be at the tail end of this year or the first half of 2019.Edge of Tomorrowwas a delightful surprise and one of Liman’s best films, so it would similarly be a joy to see everyone return for a follow-up. And while the premise of the sequel is under wraps, it’s been teased as“a sequel that’s a prequel,”thus ensuring this is one franchise that won’t be going down a traditional route.
As forChaos Walking, Liman only just wrapped filming but he told us he’s very high on that project:
“With Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley, I haven’t felt like that, since castingBrad[Pitt] andAngie(Angelina Jolie) onMr. & Mrs. Smith. I’ve had amazing actors in my films, but having amazing actors at the exact right moment in their careers, like I had withMr. & Mrs. Smith, I feel like I’ve lucked into that same timing again onChaos Walking. They’re incredible together. There’s a crazy big idea inChaos Walking, but I’m interested in it, in terms of how it impacts the relationship between Daisy and Tom.”
Chaos Walkingis due to hit theaters on August 16, 2025. And with any luck,Edge of Tomorrow 2will be coming our way not too long after that.
