(Image: Lionsgate)
Seven years after the original became a sleeper hit, the heist thriller "Den of Thieves" is proving its staying power. The first film grossed over $80 million worldwide on a modest $30 million budget, and after a long wait, the sequel "Den of Thieves 2: Pantera" finally stormed North American theaters last week. The film lived up to the hype, securing the top spot at the box office with a $15.5 million debut. Distributor Lionsgate clearly anticipated a hit, as the studio is already mapping out the next chapter.
(Image: Lionsgate)
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, franchise director Christian Gudegast revealed that a third film is already being conceptualized. "We've already pitched it. It's a done deal. We're ready to go," he said. "We're very confident in it. But, you know, God willing, I'm not opposed to that."
"Den of Thieves 2: Pantera" sees the return of stars Gerard Butler and O'Shea Jackson Jr. According to the official synopsis, the sequel follows mastermind Donnie (Jackson Jr.) on the run in Europe, where he gets entangled in the dangerous world of diamond theft. He soon partners with the infamous Panther mafia to plan a heist on the world's largest diamond exchange. Meanwhile, Detective Nick O'Brien (Butler), still at a low point after failing to intercept Donnie, tracks him across Europe, hell-bent on revenge. However, when Nick finds himself targeted by other forces, he must form an uneasy alliance with Donnie in a high-stakes game of wits and firepower.