Surprise! Paramount Demands Cloverfield Sequel

Posted by Rob Hunter (rob@filmschoolrejects.com) on January 31, 2008

In a move that surprises no one, Paramount has begun talks with Cloverfield director Matt Reeves for a sequel. Why Variety is only now “officially” reporting this I don’t know. Paramount executives aren’t stupid, and their little film was in the green one day after it released. You know they were texting Reeves love notes on their Blackberries within hours of tasting those box-office receipts. Paramount has some competition for Reeves’ attentions though as he recently signed a deal with GreeneStreet Films to direct The Invisible Woman. That film would be the first true test of Reeves’ abilities as a director as it would rely more on actual narrative skill and less on internet fanboy hype.

It’s too early to tell where the storyline will go, but Reeves has commented on some possibilities. He was asked about a sequel in a red carpet interview with BloodyDisgusting.com at the film’s premiere. “Only time will tell. While we were on set making the film we talked about the possibilities and directions of how a sequel can go. The fun of this movie was that it might not have been the only movie being made that night, there might be another movie! In today’s day and age of people filming their lives on their iPhones and handy cams, uploading it to Youtube…That was kind of exciting thinking about that.”

Not sure if another shaky-cam movie is a good idea, but hey, it’s all about the gimmick. Maybe this time they can use the “found footage” of someone who can do more behind the camera than just make funny quips. Like maybe film something worthwhile? Like maybe decide the monster is more worthy of screen-time than his whiny best friends? Oh, and maybe he can use a tape-based camcorder so the whole “taping over old footage” gag will make sense. (Doesn’t quite work that way on SD cards…I’m just saying.) Cloverfield opened huge but dropped a monstrous 68% in its second week. Beefing up the narrative and including more footage of the damn monster may give a sequel more staying power. Regardless, Cloverfield 2: Cash Cow Returns is a go!

Talking Point: Should they make a Cloverfield sequel?

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Michelle Graham

No no no no no no no no no no. I'm sorry I don't have a more eloquent response, but a sequel to a movie that is only fun because you don't know what the hell is going on (or possibly because you like feeling ill whilst looking at dark images on huge screens)? I don't think there's much point.

Of course from the studio's point of view, there are always enough people to fill theatres for sequels, even if it's only for the opening weekend. Heck, there're enough people to fill theatres around the country for days for that Hannah Montana THING. Actually, lets not go there.

SciFiDriver

It is a cash cow and they are studio executives, do miners pan for gold or just enjoy the the scenery?

if the sequel will continue with POV shots it won't profit as much as the first in fact the film could flop. just checking the feedback in the net a lot are dissapointed at the shaky camera shots.

Cloverfield is a very good film that innovates and they can innovate more without going back to shaky POV shots.

Cameron

I wouldn't like to see another one, I loved the first one, but really? This is obviously just an attempt to milk it. But for real, I would see it if it came out, but I don't want it to come out.

Johnny Finnish

When they make a sequel, I'd like one that looks at the same day from another perspective. And preferably ditching the whole POV-camera, at least largely... maybe a documentary style, something in the vein of "Where did it come from, what is it?", with clips of "actual eyewitness footage", news clips, footage from the army (fighter gun cam footage etc) thrown in to illustrate points etc.

littleKILL

Sequel? Sure, i'm game. I have really taken a liking to little ol' Clovey. It is my new favorite creature. Seeing more of it would be awesome. That is all.

Zeeky5678

OKay, first of all in the story above it says "Oh, and maybe udes a tape-based camcorder so the taping over old footage gag will make sense (doesn't quite work with SD cards)" Okay let's think logically here. The only way you could have known that the film was from an SD Card was if you saw the beginning of the movie where it clearly says "Department of Defense" "Property of the Government", etc. Okay, imagine your the military watching this "taped" footage. The governemnt is telling you that the footage is being played back from an SD Card. That doesn't nessicarily mean that it was filmed directly to the SD Card, as a matter of fact the characters use the term "tape" during the whole movie, hence, a "taped-based camera! The footage was probably converted to an SD Card for stroage puposes and to make sure they could preserve the footage.

Surprise! Paramount Demands Cloverfield Sequel

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