The eagerly anticipated Den of Thieves 3 is officially in development, much to the relief of fans following the underwhelming box office performance of Den of Thieves 2: Pantera. The conclusion of the second installment, which featured the return of characters Big Nick and Donnie, left ample room for a continuation of the story. Director Christian Gudegast, along with stars Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr., expressed their hopes for additional films prior to the sequel’s release. Nonetheless, there was speculation that Lionsgate would delay its decision to greenlight a third film until the sequel’s financial results were evaluated.
The positive news is that the studio has reaffirmed its commitment to the franchise, confirming that Den of Thieves 3 is moving forward. Gudegast will reprise his roles as writer and director for this exciting next chapter, with Butler and Jackson Jr.returning as lead characters. Although plot specifics and further casting details are still under wraps, fans can take comfort in the fact that the future of the Den of Thieves franchise is assured after a period of uncertainty.
Box Office Performance of Den of Thieves 2 Raised Questions About the Franchise
Sequel Underperforms at the Box Office
Upon its release, Den of Thieves 2 sparked doubts about a third film due to its slower-than-expected box office trajectory. The film initially opened strongly, claiming the top spot domestically with an opening weekend revenue of $15 million, closely mirroring its predecessor’s success. However, the sequel faced significant drops in ticket sales that were steeper than those experienced by the original film. Additionally, international earnings have not matched those of the first Den of Thieves.
As of now, Den of Thieves 2 has grossed approximately $41.8 million globally, just over half of what the original 2017 film earned, which totaled $80 million. This disappointing performance raised expectations that the sequel would surpass its predecessor. Instead, it is on track to conclude its theatrical run with lesser box office revenue, which typically raises flags in Hollywood regarding the potential for future sequels.
Announcement of Den of Thieves 3 Suggests Positive Reception for Den of Thieves 2
Lionsgate Appears Optimistic About Den of Thieves 2
With the confirmation of Den of Thieves 3, it appears that Lionsgate has confidence in the performance of Den of Thieves 2, suggesting that it is either achieving or is on track to achieve success. The sequel operated under a budget estimated at $40 million. Typically, a film is expected to gross twice its production costs to break even, and while Den of Thieves 2 has not met this threshold, it is possible that Lionsgate’s actual expenses were lower, as the studio acquired distribution rights post-production.
Furthermore, it is likely that Lionsgate is banking on making up for losses through various revenue streams, including premium video-on-demand (PVOD) sales. It is highly improbable that Lionsgate would commit to Den of Thieves 3 unless they had an optimistic outlook on the sequel’s financial performance and audience reception. This move indicates that Den of Thieves 2: Pantera must have met success on some level; otherwise, it would seem a gamble for the studio to finance a continuation of the series.
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