Summary
- Producer Gary Goetzman reveals plans for a sequel to The Polar Express.
- The Polar Express 2 is not a rushed project and there are still details to be worked out.
- The original The Polar Express received mixed reviews due to its animation, but a sequel would likely incorporate new and innovative technology.
A sequel to the Christmas favorite The Polar Express gets a promising update from producer Gary Goetzman, who says the studio wants “another one.” In a recent interview with Comicbook.com, Goetzman revealed that they are now working out how to bring The Polar Express 2 to screens, with studios wanting sequels to several other projects, including Where the Wild Things Are and Mamma Mia.
“Listen, I’d love to. I’d love to do a sequel of Where the Wild Things Are. There’s a lot of the things that we’ve done, if it established itself, branded itself, those movies, studios want another one. That’s the way it goes. I’m up for Mamma Mia 3, man. That would be a ball to do right about now.”
However, The Polar Express 2 is not something that Goetzman (and possibly star Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis, who have never commented on a sequel) are going to rush into. But, while it may take a little while for The Polar Express to leave the station once again, Goetzman assures fans of the original that a sequel is now in the works.
“But it becomes, there’s so much involved with, ‘Who’s artistic property would that be? Would that be?’ It’s just not like, ‘Hey, let’s go do another free sailing! So, they all take time and that’s okay because we don’t mind things going slowly. But that is trying to be worked out now, for sure, Polar 2. Yes.”
The Polar Express Was Met With Mixed Reviews for Its Sometimes Lifeless Animation
Directed by Robert Zemeckis, who co-wrote the screenplay with William Broyles Jr., and based on the 1985 children’s book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express was released back in 2004, and is well-remembered, both fondly and derisively, for its use of motion capture computer animation.
The magical Christmas tale sees Hanks and Zemeckis reunite following both Forrest Gump and Cast Away, which follows a doubting young boy who embarks on an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole. The epic journey shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
The Polar Express was met with mixed reviews from critics, who took issue with the creation of human characters using animation and how this often rendered them lifeless (especially around the eyes). Of course, it’s been a few years since our first trip on The Polar Express, and we can only imagine what innovative technology would be used this time around.
It’s currently unknown what the plot of The Polar Express 2 would be, but there is no second book from which the movie could take ideas, meaning it would likely be a wholly original idea. The Polar Express has now become a festive favorite for many, so, are you excited for another trip on The Polar Express?
