Vin Diesel’s Awfully Rated Movie with Just 18% Rotten Tomatoes Score Is Surprisingly Getting a Sequel
Lionsgate is moving forward with a sequel to The Last Witch Hunter, bringing Vin Diesel back as Kaulder, the immortal witch hunter.
The project is being developed with Diesel’s One Race Films, with both sides hoping to move quickly into production. While no official deal has been finalized, Michael Caine is expected to return as Dolan, reprising his role from the first film.
According to Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group, the enduring popularity of the original movie made the sequel a clear choice.
“The Last Witch Hunter has grown since its theatrical release into a global fan favorite, with audiences continuing to discover and re-watch it across every platform over the past decade. That enduring enthusiasm made clear there is an appetite for more stories set in this world.”
“Vin and I have partnered many times over the years, and he is a true force in our industry. I’m thrilled to be reuniting with him as he returns to this iconic role, and excited by how advancements in filmmaking technology now allow us to economically deliver a sequel on an even more ambitious scale,” Fogelson said.
The Last Witch Hunter first hit theaters in 2015, directed by Breck Eisner and written by Cory Goodman, Matt Sazama, and Burk Sharpless.
The story follows Kaulder, an immortal witch hunter, as he fights to stop a deadly plague caused by powerful witch covens. Despite its action-packed premise, the film received generally negative reviews from critics.
On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an 18% rating based on 139 reviews, with an average score of 3.9/10. The site’s consensus reads: “Grim, plodding, and an overall ill fit for Vin Diesel’s particular charms, The Last Witch Hunter will bore and/or confuse all but the least demanding action-fantasy fans.”
Metacritic gave it a score of 34 out of 100, indicating generally unfavorable reviews, though audiences gave it a B− from CinemaScore polls.
Despite the critical reception, the film found a second life in ancillary markets and streaming platforms.
It grossed $147 million worldwide during its theatrical run and has become a popular title on Netflix, ranking among the five most-viewed movies on the platform this year. Analysts note that advancements in filmmaking technology could allow the sequel to be produced more efficiently while still delivering big spectacle elements.
Some critics offered mixed reactions. BuzzFeed’s Alison Willmore called it “terrible. It is fabulously entertaining.” Inkoo Kang of TheWrap said it aimed for pulp but fell short in execution, and RogerEbert.com’s Simon Abrams described it as “atypically dopey but consummately well-assembled,” praising Diesel as “especially charming.”
The sequel aims to build on the film’s cult following while taking advantage of new technology and audience interest. Lionsgate hopes the follow-up can expand the world of Kaulder and deliver even more action and spectacle for fans.
It’s surprising to see a sequel for a film with such low critical scores, but the streaming success shows that audience interest can outweigh reviews. Vin Diesel returning as Kaulder gives it a familiar anchor, and new technology could make this sequel a more exciting and polished experience.
Do you think The Last Witch Hunter 2 can succeed where the first film struggled? Share your thoughts in the comments.