As a die-hard fan of Guy Pearce’s exceptional acting career, I can’t help but feel a tinge of nostalgia and regret when I think about the missed opportunity that was L.A. Confidential 2. The original film is a timeless masterpiece, and it’s not often that a sequel could live up to its brilliance.
Actor Liam Neeson, who will be seen alongside Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones in the highly praised film “The Brutalist,” has been reminiscing about one of his most desired yet unrealized projects. In an interview with Variety, Neeson shared that a sequel to the 1997 neo-noir crime thriller was initially planned, but unfortunately never materialized…for valid reasons.
Given that the film “L.A. Confidential” is adapted from one of James Ellroy’s novels, it’s intriguing that a follow-up movie, featuring a group of LAPD detectives solving multiple murders and garnering critical praise, Oscar recognition, and commercial success, never came to fruition. However, as Pearce notes, they would only make a sequel if they could do it perfectly.
“We talked about setting a sequel, [that would take place] in 1963, but Curtis was clear: it had to involve the same team. If it wasn’t done with integrity, it wasn’t worth doing.”
‘L.A. Confidential 2’ Would Have Starred Chadwick Boseman…but Netflix Passed
It seems there was a planned sequel for the movie “L.A. Confidential” back in September 2023, as revealed by writer Brian Helgeland. This continuation would have featured the late and acclaimed actor from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, known for his role as Black Panther, alongside original cast members Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe. It sounds intriguing, doesn’t it? However, it looks like Netflix decided to pass on this project.
During a talk at the Toronto International Film Festival, Helgeland shared that he and James Ellroy devised a detailed concept for ‘L.A. Confidential 2’, setting it in the time of the Patty Hearst incident when the Symbionese Liberation Army arrived in L.A. Guy Pearce was already attached to star, with Russell Crowe and Chadwick Boseman portraying a young cop under Mayor Bradley. Unfortunately, Netflix showed no interest, and one executive even dozed off during the presentation.
“We shared our idea with everyone, but Warner Bros turned us down because they don’t typically produce movies like ours. Ellroy, who is a performance artist, delivered the presentation, and it was incredibly impressive. However, our Netflix executive dozed off during the pitch! I got home and realized we needed to rethink our approach.
Is there a chance Guy Pearce might revisit the gritty environment of L.A. Confidential in the future? Although the actor appears receptive to the idea, he questions if any subsequent installment could measure up to the initial masterpiece. In conversation with Variety, he expressed this sentiment.
For my debut in an American movie, it couldn’t have been more impressive,” he remarks. “Curtis crafted a true masterwork. It’s one of those exceptional productions where every element seems to fall perfectly into place – the script, the performers, and the direction.
When handling a work as highly regarded as ‘L.A. Confidential,’ one might wonder, “Can this new version measure up to its predecessor?” Failing to do so could diminish what set the original apart. Creating sequels often involves a delicate act of juggling expectations and authenticity.
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2024-12-06 19:01