‘Den of Thieves 2’ Filmmakers Share Big Plans for Gerard Butler Franchise

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As a movie buff with a penchant for action-packed thrillers and heist films that keep me on the edge of my seat, I can hardly contain my excitement for the upcoming sequel to “Den of Thieves”, entitled “Pantera”. Having grown up watching Gerard Butler in various roles, it’s fascinating to see him continue to push his boundaries as an actor, particularly with his portrayal of Sheriff Big Nick O’Brien.

Actor Gerard Butler has a lot on his plate if the makers of the upcoming movie “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” have their way. In a chat with MovieWeb about the sequel to the successful 2018 heist action thriller, directors Christian Gudegast and producer Tucker Tooley expressed their enthusiasm for the new project and how it fits into a broader scheme for an expanded “Den of Thieves” universe. Tooley even hinted at this larger plan, stating that they are very excited about the upcoming film.

As a movie enthusiast, I can tell you that the team behind this project has an exciting plan for the future. Without revealing too much about the plot, let me share that the evolution from the initial film to this one, and onward, was intentionally crafted to create a franchise focusing on intricate and brainy heists carried out by relatable characters, portrayed by talented actors who bring depth and nuance to their performances. If this movie succeeds, you can count on more thrilling installments in the series!

For enthusiasts of the initial “Den of Thieves” movie, this new development is certainly exciting news. The first installment was a tense heist drama that ran for over two hours, yet it successfully maintained viewers’ interest, leaving many wanting more. In the film “Panther”, Sheriff “Big Nick” O’Brien (played by Butler) continues his pursuit of Donnie Wilson (O’Shea Jackson Jr., who made a remarkable debut in the first movie). This time around, their game takes them overseas, with Big Nick chasing after Donnie who has managed to escape. As Donnie gets entangled with diamond thieves and the Panther mafia, his problems escalate significantly. It appears that Big Nick’s only solution is to go undercover – infiltrate and dismantle their operations. We can’t wait! Count us in.

Director Says “Gerard Butler Put Himself Through the Wringer”

In the second installment of “Den of Thieves 2: Panther,” the heist becomes even more intricate as they target the world’s biggest diamond exchange. This brings Big Nick and Donnie together again, leading to their usual friendly yet reluctant banter and a heavy dose of thrilling action and tension. The new cast includes Jordan Bridges (“Palm Royale”), Meadow Williams, Evin Ahmad, Rico Verhoeven, Salvatore Esposito, and Orli Shuka. Similar to the original, this sequel is substantial, running longer than two hours.

Producer Tucker Tooley shared that they are clear on what a potential third movie entails. The story would be set in a different part of the world. On the other hand, director Christian Gudegast, who wrote the original and this sequel as well, commended Gerard Butler’s commitment, highlighting his dedication as one of the key aspects.

He feels an immense pressure to perform, which causes him great stress. Before this, he had a lot of intense physical preparation because it’s such a physically demanding role. He put in a lot of effort to get into shape for it. He really throws himself into the character. Big Nick is a strong and tormented individual, and [Gerard] pushes himself to his limits.

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera hits theaters January 10, 2025.

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2024-12-19 06:02