Not Just Cash Cows: 5 Sequels We'd Give Anything To See Happen

These days, the words 'remake,' 'reboot,' and 'revival' seem to be some of the most overused in the entertainment industry. It's rare to find a hit film that just exists on its own. Even if a movie isn't exactly a masterpiece, if it's making money, you can bet your popcorn that someone is already planning to make a franchise out of it. Not to mention beloved old classics.

As a result, we're swimming in a sea of entertainment options, some of which are nothing more than nostalgia-baiting cash cows. At the same time, there are still those sequels that fans have been clamoring for for what seems like forever, but never got. Here are five notable examples.

The Girl Who Played with Fire

David Fincher's 2011 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a true hidden gem. Based on Stieg Larsson's beloved novel, the film has a cast that's basically a dream team (Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara as leads? Yes, please), a gripping mystery with some shocking twists, and the attention to detail we love in Fincher films.

Larsson wrote two more books about the dynamic duo, Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander, and fans were begging for Fincher to bring those stories to life as well. But script issues and studio drama got in the way, and the project based on the second book was shelved. Well, it's probably time to un-shelve it.

Sherlock Holmes 3

Guy Ritchie's team-up with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law gave us Sherlock Holmes movies that were pure gold and stole the hearts of millions. 2011's A Game of Shadows was the second and sadly final installment in the fan-adored franchise.

The planned threequel fell into production hell, got a new director, Dexter Fletcher, and was delayed several times by global and Hollywood events. Though not officially canceled, the franchise seems to have fizzled out into nothingness.

Dredd 2

Pete Travis and Alex Garland's 2012 Dredd, with Karl Urban rocking the lead role, was a sleeper hit. Unfortunately, the film was discovered by a wide audience and gained a cult following only long after it left theaters, meaning it tanked at the box office and the sequel plans got stuck in limbo.

Over the years, there have been many discussions about reviving the franchise. In 2017, a TV series called Judge Dredd: Mega-City was finally announced. But it seems that work on the project didn't go much further than naming it.

The Adventures of Tintin 2

Steven Spielberg's 2011 animated film based on Hergé's graphic novel was a critical and commercial success. It also picked up an impressive number of awards. Add to that a treasure trove of source material, and a sequel feels like a no-brainer.

However, Spielberg and other big names involved in the project got caught up in their other projects, putting The Adventures of Tintin 2 on hold indefinitely.

Man of Steel 2

Zack Snyder's 2013 superhero extravaganza starring Henry Cavill will always be a favorite for millions of viewers, no matter how many more Superman movies are made. Warner Bros. announced a sequel in 2014. But since then, the studio has decided to take a different path, one that doesn't quite align with Snyder's vision.

Sadly, the introduction of James Gunn and Peter Safran's DC Universe means that there is almost no hope of seeing Man of Steel 2. Instead, on July 11, 2025, DC audiences will get Superman: Legacy, helmed by Gunn and featuring David Corenswet donning the cape.