Pierce Brosnan: The Perfect Dad for Back in Action 2?

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After being absent for fifteen years to focus on their family, Cameron Diaz’s character Emily and Jamie Foxx’s Matt re-enter the thrilling realm of espionage in the action-comedy movie titled “Back in Action“. This newly released Netflix production is a highly anticipated return for Cameron Diaz on screen. Since its debut on January 17, 2025, it has rapidly climbed to the top position on Netflix’s Global Top 10 list, boasting an impressive 46.8 million views in just one week.

Under the guidance of director Seth Gordon, the movie titled “Back in Action” is an imaginative portrayal of what life would be like if Jason Bourne had children. The story unfolds as Matt and Emily Reynolds, once accomplished secret agents, lead a peaceful suburban existence following a dramatic plane crash. With their kids Alice (played by McKenna Roberts) and Leo (Rylan Jackson), they enjoy a tranquil, ordinary life. However, their sense of normality is abruptly disrupted when their past identities as spies are exposed through a viral video. Consequently, the thrilling escapades commence, complete with high-speed car chases, intense gunfights, and brutal hand-to-hand combat. British manors sprawling with opulence? You got it! In essence, “Back in Action” promises to deliver every action-packed scene you could desire.

The Ending of Back in Action Sets Up for a Sequel

In a familiar plot twist, Matt and Emily, whose secret has been exposed, find themselves racing to evade their pursuers, accompanied by their children. The ‘ICS key’ that Matt had salvaged after the plane crash becomes crucial for their survival, as they aim to secure CIA protection for their family. Yet, as expected, their plan fails; the key is stolen and their children are kidnapped. This sets Matt and Emily on a high-stakes mission, combining their parental instincts with secret agent skills, which they manage remarkably well, ultimately rescuing their family, themselves, and even saving the world.

After resuming their regular life as a family, the Reynolds are once again basking in suburban bliss. Alice has left for serious study at a friend’s place, and Ginny and Nigel agree to look after Leo. With some free time on hand, Matt and Emily decide to go out on a date. However, their peaceful night out is unexpectedly disrupted when they discover Baron sitting in the backseat of their car. To tackle this issue, it seems that Emily needs to enlist the aid of a close relative; her father.

Pierce Brosnan Would Be a Perfect Fit for the Role

In the movie, Emily’s dad is never shown or spoken about. Despite her strained relationship with her mother being a key aspect from the start, there’s no father character present. Not even Matt knows about Emily having a father figure. Yet, in discussions about a potential sequel, a new significant character could potentially fill the role of Emily’s dad. Among many possibilities, I find one candidate particularly intriguing: Pierce Brosnan.

In terms of age and their real-life friendship, Brosnan could perfectly embody Glenn Close’s character Ginny. Notably, Brosnan has shown he can handle action roles even at 71, as evidenced by his portrayal of Doctor Fate in the 2022 DCEU film “Black Adam.

What truly fits Brosnan for the part of Emily’s father is his prior experience as a British secret agent, notably playing the iconic and charming character James Bond in the 1990s, starring in movies like GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) and The World Is Not Enough (1999). Interestingly, the movie Back in Action even pays tribute to James Bond.

In this scenario, Nigel hints towards Q, there’s a reference to a laser watch, Matt dons a tuxedo for the final confrontation and even has a unique drink – mezcal with an orange twist. This reminds us of the iconic James Bond character, making him an ideal choice for a revival titled “Back in Action“. Additionally, since Ginny is British and Emily has a British father, it aligns well with the plot and infuses humor into the sequel’s narrative.

Other Stars Who Could Take on the Role

Although Pierce Brosnan seems like an ideal choice for playing Emily’s father, there are other notable actors who could also fill the role. These include Kurt Russell, Michael Douglas, Mads Mikkelsen, and Sylvester Stallone. All of these actors meet the age requirement to portray Emily’s father, with Mads Mikkelsen being slightly younger in comparison.

Kurt Russell is well-known for his action roles and has previously collaborated with Diaz. Similarly, Michael Douglas has a background in both action and comedic parts, like those in “Romancing the Stone,” and is an industry veteran. Mikkelsen, on the other hand, is primarily recognized for villainous roles. However, he’s shown versatility within these roles, hinting at his potential to excel in genres that might be unfamiliar to him. Stallone’s casting would predominantly serve as a nod to “Back in Action”‘s “Creed” references. The “Creed” films, which are frequently referenced in the Netflix movie, are the sequels to Stallone’s “Rocky” series.

This version aims to maintain the original’s clarity while using simpler and more conversational phrasing.

As “Back in Action” hints at a potential sequel, it’s important to note that, as of now, Netflix hasn’t officially given the go-ahead for a follow-up movie. Despite its low 26% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences have shown more support with a 61% rating. The future of “Back in Action” remains uncertain, but there’s a glimmer of hope: Director Seth Gordon has shared some ideas for the sequel and suggested possible characters to play in it.

Back in Action is now available to stream on Netflix.

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2025-01-27 02:02