Writer Max Landis Will Not Be Involved in Netflix’s ‘Bright’ Sequel
Within the first few days of its release, Netflix’s Bright had been viewed approximately eleven million times in the USA alone. According to Netflix, this makes it the “highest viewed Netflix film ever on the service in its first week of release”.
The critical reviews were roundly negative though, with writers finding flaws primarily in the writing and the movie’s ambitious attempt at social commentary that it just couldn’t reach. Despite the generally unfavourable response, however, Netflix ordered a sequel to Bright almost immediately.
The urban fantasy that blended the long history of warring orc, elf and human races with the setting of contemporary Los Angeles was clearly an attractive enough premise that it was worth the $90 million budget. To that end, the two lead actors, Will Smith and Joel Edgerton, will be returning in the sequel to reprise their roles as human Daryl Ward and orc Nick Jakoby respectively.
However, it has now been confirmed that writer Max Landis will not be involved with the new project. Instead, director and producer David Ayer will be taking over writing the script.
Netflix has not elaborated on this decision to explain whether it is the writer’s own decision, or if it is something to do with spate of sexual assault accusations recently levied at Landis.
Ayer’s previous writing credits include films including Training Day, The Fast and the Furious and Suicide Squad. This doesn’t necessarily speak volumes about how the social commentary will evolve in the next instalment, but it is probably safe to assume that the shoot-outs and car chases and explosions (both magical and otherwise) are going be as titillating as ever.
