The Meg (2018) was a strange summer hit, but one that definitely scratched that shark-related itch. While many shark movies are sub-par, this film had some very redeeming qualities that allowed it to stand a few inches taller than the rest. Despite the ending to the first feature not inviting any more films, it seems that the production team have other ideas.
Jason Statham starred as Jonas in the 2018 movie The Meg; we followed him as he reluctantly agreed to go on an ocean rescue mission, deeper than anyone has ever gone before.
After narrowly escaping something massive at the bottom of the sea, Jonas warns the staff on Mana One, the marine research centre 200 miles from the Chinese coast, that there is something lurking below.
The movie then follows Jonas and the other crew members to fight the beat that has risen from the depths: a Megalodon.
Spoiler alert for the twist in The Meg: the team manage to defeat the shark, only to find out a bigger one had been on their tail all along. This begs the question – are there more prehistoric creatures down in the sea?
Many fans who enjoyed the first movie are wondering what else can pose a threat to human life, and most of all, how will director Ben Wheatley weave a new story from an ending that seemed pretty cut and dry?
The sequel, entitled The Meg 2: The Trench will see Statham reprise his role as Jonas Taylor, an experienced rescue diver who hung up his swimsuit after a rescue gone wrong, before being sought out and asked to help save a research crew who ventured deep into the ocean, below what was thought to be the bottom of the sea.
Statham is said to be involved in the creative process for the film, as well as starring in it; if his previous roles are anything to go by, we can probably expect many more thrilling action scenes in the upcoming sequel.
With the main character’s actor back on board, it also seems that the cast (that survived) from the 2018 film will be back, including Ruby Rose as Jaxx, Page Kennedy as DJ, Li BingBing as Suyin, and more.
Wheatley revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that the movie is very much still in the production phase, as the director is still setting up storyboards and watching animatics of potential scenes.
In regard to plot development, it seemed that there was no way for a sequel to take place but, at the end of the movie, Suyin (Jonas’ love interest) and Jonas discuss taking a holiday together with Suyin’s young daughter, which invites a potential disaster.
Also at the end of the film, we hear subtle noises that are said to be other Megalodons escaping the depth of the sea, with probable intent to cause chaos.
Knowing this, it seems that the sequel is actually an open book with many possibilities; despite the noise of other giant sharks being a little far-fetched, as we can safely say we can’t recall that the last time we watched The Meg, it does offer a way for the story to progress.
Wheatley has hinted that there may be at least two sharks in the upcoming movie, meaning another colossal challenge for both Jonas, and whoever will be accompanying him on his endeavour to undoubtedly kill the new Megs that have arrived.
A release date for this feature is quite a way off yet; the director is still in the planning phase, looking at new ideas for the film and deciding what will work, it is unlikely we will hear when to expect this movie in cinemas any time soon.
Having said that, 2023 would be a decent guess at a release year, given the ongoing global pandemic, the delay of many blockbusters which have been moved to this year (2021), and the fact that the movie is still in production, with a lot of details to smooth over.
So, without a trailer or release date, and only a guess at what the narrative will be, it may be hard to get excited for The Meg 2: The Trench.
However, with the ideas about Jonas taking a holiday (presumably to somewhere with a beach), and the supposed noises heard at the end of The Meg that signal more enormous beasts, we can definitely get behind another movie with Statham blowing things up and taking on a prehistoric monster with his bare hands.
Check out the trailer for The Meg (2018) below!
Written by Melissa, who you can follow on Twitter @melissajournal
RELATED: Marvel's What If: A list of episodes we know to be included in the animated Disney+ series
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has always exceeded expectations, and now, with the Marvel and Disney+ originals really taking off, there is one series that fans are keen to know more about...
Tagged in Jason Statham Ben Wheatley Action films