I Just Found Out Why It Took So Long To Make Den Of Thieves 2, And I Hope The Same Thing Doesn’t Happen With Den Of Thieves 3

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As a cinephile reflecting on my latest cinematic journey, I find myself delving into the gripping world of “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera.” Seven long years have passed since we last saw our protagonist, Big Nick O’Brien, hot on the trail of Donnie Wilson and his audacious century-defining heist. Despite only recently experiencing the original 2018 Den of Thieves, I couldn’t help but wonder why the sequel took so long to materialize. Now, having witnessed this thrilling continuation, I can appreciate the patience that went into its creation. I just hope it won’t be another seven years before we revisit these characters once more.

Prior to the unveiling of “Den of Thieves 2,” which earned Gerard Butler another box office triumph early on in the 2025 film calendar, TopMob’s Sean O’Connell conversed with franchise producer Tucker Tooley. He disclosed the chain of unfortunate circumstances that caused a seven-year gap between the sequels. Here is what he shared:

Before “Den of Thieves 2” hit the screens, Gerard Butler won another box office success early in 2025, thanks to this movie. Sean O’Connell from TopMob talked with the film’s producer, Tucker Tooley, about why there was a seven-year wait between the movies. Here’s what he told him:

Initially, our storyline took numerous unanticipated turns from the original plan. This intricate design was part of the script itself, with a sequel always in mind. However, COVID-19 threw a wrench into our plans. We faced the absence of an actor for a year due to injury. As if that weren’t enough, we encountered the unexpected loss of a tax credit at our intended shooting location, forcing us to change locations. In essence, typical filmmaking hurdles simply stretched out our production period longer than anticipated. [Director Christian Gudegast] was the one who shared this information with us.

It’s not unexpected that the long-awaited sequel was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, given its wide-reaching impact on nearly every facet of contemporary life. When you consider all the other projects that have been postponed as a result, it becomes clear how the years might pile up. Furthermore, delays were also caused by factors like actor injuries and sudden changes in filming locations due to tax credit complications.

Without a doubt, I’m eagerly anticipating the release of the third installment in Big Nick O’Brien and Donnie Wilson’s saga, which has been seven long years in the making. While not everyone enjoyed Den of Thieves 2: Pantera (as evidenced by TopMob’s 2/5 review), I found it an exhilarating blend of buddy comedy, high-stakes heist, and boisterous action sequences that left me yearning for more. Frankly, I can hardly wait to witness Gerard Butler’s exploits, such as his signature moves of crushing cigarettes underfoot and snatching donuts from the ground, as soon as it becomes available.

Despite many uncertainties regarding the franchise’s upcoming installments, Tooley’s mention of potential sequels has me thoroughly thrilled about its future developments. Whether it will scale the heights reached by the Fast & Furious series with Nick piloting a rocket or Donnie speeding through Rio after an exhilarating car chase in Pantera, I can’t predict. However, one thing that is clear to me is my eagerness to be part of the audience for this beloved cinematic franchise.

Don’t miss out on “Den of Thieves 2: Panthera,” which might not rank among the greatest action movies ever made, but it’s a film that warrants your attention and shouldn’t be overlooked for too long. This is even more relevant now as another sequel is in the pipeline.

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2025-01-23 22:07