The Rocketeer 2

[Walts Ghost]

Joe Johnston: “I’d Love To Make a Sequel To The Rocketeer”

Looks like Joe Johnston is about to have his biggest career moment. He directed Captain America: The First Avenger for Marvel Studios, and early reactions peg the movie as the most satisfying tentpole of the summer. (I wasn’t thrilled with him getting the gig, and it looks like I’ll have to eat those words — which I’ll happily do if the film is as good as the early buzz suggests.)

Captain America is set primarily during WWII, but this isn’t the first superhero movie Joe Johnston has made in that era. In 1991 Disney released his film The Rocketeer, an adaptation of Dave Stevens‘ comic of the same name, starring Bill Campbell as a stunt pilot who becomes a sort of superhero when a high-tech (for the late ’30s) rocket backpack lands in his hands. There was talk of a sequel at the time, but the movie flopped and Disney has mostly forgotten that it exists. Over the years, however, a fanbase grew, and with Captain America poised to succeed, calls for a Rocketeer sequel might also be heard.

One of the first people to make that call is Joe Johnston himself.
In an interview with Film Journal, the director says simply,

What are the chances of this actually happening? If Cap is a great success Disney might finally turn out a special edition blu of The Rocketeer, and use that to gauge the potential audience for a sequel. At this point it seems like a pipe dream, but I know there would be a vocal base of support for the idea. That’s never really enough, but it is a start. The great turnout for a recent 20th anniversary screening in LA probably didn’t hurt, either.

Yes! Do it! I so hope this happens!

I actually was working on an outline for another movie...Oh how I wish I could help make that movie.

[AKORIS]

why can't the original get a good blu-ray release??????????????

[Snicket]

A snowball has a better chance of surviving the apocalypse than this happening.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

why can't the original get a good blu-ray release??????????????

It should be coming, AKORIS. It's just a matter of time. The 20th Anniversary screening last week had an all new digital print, and it look gorgeous! I bet it's get released around the time Captain America hits blu.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Snicket

A snowball has a better chance of surviving the apocalypse than this happening.

I don't know, the way Hollywood is these days it would not surprise me a sequel was made

[BLUEGRASS]

Originally Posted by Snicket

A snowball has a better chance of surviving the apocalypse than this happening.

You never know....who would have thought that they would be doing another Ghost Rider movie still starring Nic Cage after that horrible initial one?

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I don't know, the way Hollywood is these days it would not surprise me a sequel was made

Agreed. If Disney finally gave Tron a sequel, why not The Rocketeer? It's not that unheard of really. And honestly, being at the 20th Anniversary screening and seeing the huge fanbase and turn out, Disney might really start thinking about it. That event was incredible, and there is love for this movie that many movies will never get. It doesn't have to be a +$100 million movie like Tron, and I could say in this day in age, it'll probably do better than the first did. I'm really, REALLY hoping this happens.

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

It should be coming, AKORIS. It's just a matter of time. The 20th Anniversary screening last week had an all new digital print, and it look gorgeous! I bet it's get released around the time Captain America hits blu.

I sure hope you're right-- this was such a good movie and it's never really been given any respect (boxoffice and video transfers)... would love to see a quality blu ray release!!

[DVDFreaker]

I remember seeing it in theaters and I thought it was a decent movie but now I don't remember any of it but I do not know about a Rocketeer 2, it would probably bomb

[Torgon]

I agree. If Tron and others can get sequels, then so can this. If Joe Johnston takes the same care in it and goes with a good story like he says, it could be a hit. I'd go see it. But first, bring on the blu-ray!

[Walts Ghost]

If Disney really wants to get behind it, they'll release the blu-ray first to test the waters. So if Johntson is really wanting to do it, and after last week I can tell he does, then he should really push Disney for a blu-ray Special Edition. As I said, the print of the movie they showed us was a new, digitally restored copy so the work has been done. And the movie looked gorgeous. Just absolutely great. Best transfer I've ever seen of the film. I honestly don't know anyone who doesn't like The Rocketeer, and I'm really excited about the prospects of a second film.

[kdn1221]

Definitely want Rocketeer on Blu. I would also want a Rocketeer 2. Rocketeer was an excellent adaptation of the character created by Dave Stevens. I love movies that are throwbacks to the 30s and 40s in the semi-serial style of the early serials. Although I'm not a fan of the crudity of these serials, I do like the style where sci-fi fantasy mix with the art deco style of the era creating an alternate reality.

Another example comes to mind is Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.

Video Games that reflect this:
Rocket Ranger
Crimson Skies

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I don't know, the way Hollywood is these days it would not surprise me a sequel was made

If it was any other studio other than Disney, I would agree with you. But Disney has very high expectations for all its films, Tron made money sure, but we will be lucky to get a sequel out of it, and they dropped Narnia like it was nothing.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by Snicket

If it was any other studio other than Disney, I would agree with you. But Disney has very high expectations for all its films, Tron made money sure, but we will be lucky to get a sequel out of it, and they dropped Narnia like it was nothing.

Tron 3 is already getting a rewrite and Disney is moving forward with it. The Rocketeer, especially now in the comicbook age, would be a huge money maker for Disney. I'd say it would be ridiculous not to do it.

[Moviefan2k4]

Well, my only major objection to a "Rocketeer" sequel would be the necessary time period shift, due to all the actors being 20 years older. Since the original was set in '38 or so, a new one would have to explore the 1950s, and I'm not so sure it could work in the same way. Honestly, I'd rather see a remake, with Billy Campbell and Jennifer Connelly in cameos. I still want the original on Blu, though.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

Well, my only major objection to a "Rocketeer" sequel would be the necessary time period shift, due to all the actors being 20 years older. Since the original was set in '38 or so, a new one would have to explore the 1950s, and I'm not so sure it could work in the same way. Honestly, I'd rather see a remake, with Billy Campbell and Jennifer Connelly in cameos. I still want the original on Blu, though.

See, the time shift doesn't bother me at all. In fact, I think The Rocketeer would actually work in the confines of the 50s setting. During the cold war, have him going spy work and stuff against the Russians, it would be awesome. I'd love it. Not to mention, the first was on Hollywood, so if it still was, the 50s was known for B sci-fi movies and such he could be dealing with the fact that Hollywood is making a movie based off his alter ego. It could be a lot of fun.

[Lemmy Lugosi]

I won't be surprised if this gets made.

But I will be positively flabbergasted if it's a hit.

[Samus Aran]

Originally Posted by Snicket

A snowball has a better chance of surviving the apocalypse than this happening.

They're gonna make Rocketeer 2 right after Steven Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme star together in Of Mice and Men.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Samus Aran

They're gonna make Rocketeer 2 right after Steven Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme star together in Of Mice and Men.

Now that I want to see