Fans of Shane Black’s detective film, “The Nice Guys,” may be disappointed to learn from star Ryan Gosling that a sequel is not on the horizon. Instead of lucrative sales, Gosling suggests an unlikely culprit behind the thwarted sequel plans: a certain animated film about aggravated avians.
“The Angry Birds Movie,” directed by Clay Katis and Fergal Reilly and inspired by the hit mobile game from Rovio Entertainment, stole the spotlight back in 2016. The game, known for its addictive gameplay featuring birds being catapulted at pigs, translated into a movie that, despite being critically panned, was a box office success.
When the topic of a second “The Nice Guys” installment came up, Ryan Gosling candidly linked its downfall to “The Angry Birds Movie”:
“The chances for a sequel often come down to the film’s opening weekend performance, and we debuted alongside ‘Angry Birds,’ which completely outperformed us. ‘Angry Birds’ earned a sequel.”
Gosling’s film opened to a modest $11 million, whereas the animated contender soared to over $38 million, setting the motion for its eventual worldwide gross of $350 million and securing a sequel that brought in an additional $152 million.
Black’s attachment to “The Nice Guys” was significant, with initial aspirations to adapt it into a television series. However, that idea also did not move forward. Thus, fans of the film are left with memories of what might have been.
In both financial and sentimental terms, it seems that “The Nice Guys” fans are left contemplating what could have happened if the birds hadn’t flown quite so high.
FAQs on The Nice Guys and Its Non-Existent Sequel
- What factors impacted the production of “The Nice Guys” sequel?
The primary factor appears to be the movie’s initial box office performance, which was overshadowed by the success of “The Angry Birds Movie.” - Has there been any official announcement regarding the cancellation of “The Nice Guys 2”?
While there isn’t an official announcement, Ryan Gosling’s comments strongly suggest that the sequel is not going to happen. - What was “The Angry Birds Movie” and how did it impact “The Nice Guys”?
“The Angry Birds Movie” was an animated film based on a popular mobile game. It was released on the same weekend as “The Nice Guys” and outperformed it financially, which has been cited by Gosling as a reason for the lack of a sequel. - Were there other plans to continue the story of “The Nice Guys”?
Yes, director Shane Black was interested in turning the film into a TV series, but that concept did not come to fruition either. - Is there any chance “The Nice Guys” will find a way back to the screen?
As of the latest updates, it seems unlikely. Neither a sequel nor a TV adaptation are currently in development.
Conclusion
The unfortunate clash between “The Nice Guys” and “The Angry Birds Movie” at the box office appears to have had lasting ramifications. The disparity in financial success between the clever noir film and the animated feature has left “The Nice Guys” without the sequel that fans and its star, Ryan Gosling, had hoped for. Though Black’s film was well-received and maintains a loyal fanbase, it seems the fateful timing of its release has ultimately slung the potential for its continuation far out of reach.