Netflix’s film adaptation of the popular Manga series Death Note was critically a huge disappointment, with many fans hating it. However, as was proved with Bright, that sort of reaction doesn’t deter Netflix from making a sequel, and that’s exactly what they’ve got in mind.
Netflix’s Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos called the film a “sizeable” success, so obviously enough people watching it from within Netflix’s coveted demographics for them to feel a sequel would be a good investment. Greg Russo, an up-and-coming writer currently attached to the Resident Evil reboot, will pen the script.
The original manga series was created by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, and both incarnations follow Light Turner, a high school student who comes across a supernatural notebook which grants him the power to kill any person simply by writing down their name on the pages.
The film version was directed by Adam Wingard, who had previously said that he pitched the project to Netflix as a potential franchise:
“At the end of the day, there are a lot of places to explore where to take Light. And ultimately the series is sort of about almost his downfall as a character. This is sort of the beginning of it or the origin of it. There are definitely lots of places to go, and we know generally where we would take it. Hopefully people will watch it and Netflix will order a sequel. They definitely are ready to. They just need people to watch it”.
Wingard said the goal was ideally for two or three Death Note movies, and the first film ended on enough of a cliffhanger to warrant one. But, despite the number of people who watched the first film, who actually liked it and was pining for a sequel? Those don’t seem to be questions Netflix are particularly interested in asking, let alone answering.
This news will likely mean the return of Nat Wolff, Lakeith Stanfield, and Willem Dafoe as bored demon Ryuk. Judging by his previous comments, presumably Wingard is very interested in returning as well. However right now he’s focusing on Godzilla vs. Kong, which he’s directing, so Netflix may have to wait if they want him back for the sequel.
#Peace.Love.DeathNote
