10 Blockbuster Sequels That Were Announced But Never Made

Hollywood loves a good sequel, especially when the first film rakes in big bucks. The promise of more adventures with beloved characters or epic worlds often gets fans buzzing with excitement. But sometimes, those promises fizzle out, leaving us with nothing but rumors and what-ifs.

From legal battles to creative clashes, the road to a sequel can be rocky. I’ve dug into ten blockbuster sequels that were announced with fanfare but never made it to the big screen. Each one had potential, but for various reasons, they stayed stuck in development limbo.

E.T. 2: Nocturnal Fears

‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ (1982) was a heartwarming hit, and a sequel called ‘E.T. 2: Nocturnal Fears’ was floated with a darker edge. Steven Spielberg and Melissa Mathison wrote a treatment where Elliott faces menacing aliens, but Spielberg shelved it to preserve the original’s charm.

The shift to a grittier tone felt like a gamble. Spielberg’s choice to let the first film stand alone left this sequel as a curious footnote in his legacy.

The Last Starfighter 2

‘The Last Starfighter’ (1984) was a sci-fi hit that blended arcade gaming with space battles, earning a cult following and $28 million on a modest budget. A sequel was announced in the late 1980s to follow Alex Rogan’s next adventure as a starfighter, with plans to expand the universe and leverage new CGI for epic battles. Early storyboards and a treatment were developed, promising more of the original’s charm.

The project fizzled due to budget concerns and the original studio’s financial struggles. Despite fan campaigns and later talks of a reboot, the direct sequel to Alex’s story never took flight, leaving fans longing for more interstellar heroics.

Demolition Man 2

Sylvester Stallone’s ‘Demolition Man’ (1993) was a sci-fi blast that earned $159 million. A sequel was planned to explore Spartan’s reunion with his daughter in the futuristic setting, building on the first film’s action-packed vibe.

Stallone’s focus shifted to other projects, and the sequel fizzled out. Fans still speculate about what could have been with that father-daughter story.

The Breakfast Club 2

‘The Breakfast Club’ (1985) shaped the teen movie genre, and John Hughes considered a sequel to revisit the characters years later. He aimed to shoot in 1994, avoiding aging makeup, but a rift with Judd Nelson killed the plan.

Seeing the detention crew as adults would’ve been intriguing. Instead, Hughes moved on, leaving fans to wonder about their grown-up lives.

I Am Legend 2

‘I Am Legend’ (2007) grossed $585 million, starring Will Smith as a lone survivor. A prequel was announced to depict New York’s fall to the infected, despite the hero’s death in the original. The concept had strong potential.

Creative challenges and Smith’s busy schedule derailed it. A new sequel was teased in 2022, but the original prequel idea remains unmade.

Cliffhanger 2: The Dam

‘Cliffhanger’ (1993) was a $250 million hit for Sylvester Stallone. A sequel, ‘Cliffhanger 2: The Dam’, was set to deliver more mountain-climbing chaos with a dam as the stakes. The action-packed premise sounded thrilling.

The project stalled after Stallone’s ‘Daylight’ (1996) echoed similar themes. Studios scrapped it, wary of redundancy, leaving fans hanging.

Con Airport

‘Con Air’ (1997) was a high-flying action hit with Nicolas Cage and John Cusack. A sequel, ‘Con Airport’, was pitched to follow Cusack’s character managing a chaotic airport for criminal transport. A treatment was drafted, but it never progressed.

Director Simon West later pushed for it, but studios passed. The wild premise could’ve been a fun ride but stayed on the runway.

Edge of Tomorrow 2

‘Edge of Tomorrow’ (2014), also known as ‘Live Die Repeat’, was a sci-fi gem starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt, earning $370 million. A sequel, tentatively titled ‘Live Die Repeat and Repeat’, was announced in 2015 with plans for a prequel-sequel hybrid, promising a fresh take on the time-loop concept.

Scheduling conflicts with Cruise, Blunt, and director Doug Liman, plus budget concerns post-COVID, kept it in limbo. Despite a completed script and ongoing interest, the project hasn’t moved forward.

Napoleon Dynamite 2

‘Napoleon Dynamite’ (2004) was a low-budget smash, grossing $46 million. A sequel was discussed to follow Jon Heder’s quirky character, but director Jared Hess wasn’t sold. An animated series aired instead, but it lacked the original’s spark.

Heder was game, but the project never came together. Fans still dream of more awkward dances and tater tot moments.

L.A. Confidential 2

‘L.A. Confidential’ (1997) was a noir triumph, and a sequel based on James Ellroy’s novels was considered, possibly adapting ‘White Jazz’ with Guy Pearce. Studios pushed to exclude Pearce, and Charlize Theron was eyed for a lead role.

Creative clashes and shifting studio priorities shelved it. The chance to dive back into that gritty world remains a missed opportunity.

Which shelved sequel are you most bummed about, or is there another unmade gem you’re hoping for? Share your picks in the comments!