Warning! SPOILERS for Bullet Train.
With stars Brad Pitt and Sandra Bullock, Bullet Train has plenty of potential for a sequel. Directed by David Leitch, Bullet Train stars Pitt, Brian Tyree Henry, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Sandra Bullock, Joey King, Andrew Koji, Michael Shannon, Zazie Beetz, Bad Bunny, and Hiroyuki Sanada. Bullet Train is an action-comedy that puts a group of assassins together on a high-speed bullet train with all of them linked together in surprising ways, leading to death, mayhem, and comedic interludes.
Pitt plays Ladybug in Bullet Train, an assassin of sorts who frequently encounters bad luck on his jobs, making him feel insecure about his line of work. Coming back after a hiatus, the job he takes in Bullet Train is a simple one, which quickly snowballs into a complex battle of survival as he attempts to outwit or fight his way to the next station and complete his job. However, it quickly becomes evident that nobody on the train is there by accident and everyone has a role to play in the unfolding journey.
Bullet Train's high-concept story is one that could easily be applied to a sequel. Similar to Bruce Willis' Die Hard franchise, Bullet Train could take the approach of changing up characters and settings for sequels, while retaining the core concept, which is a group of strangers all linked together on a train headed to a specific destination. There's plenty of wiggle room to expand the concept, which could take it out of the train and to other locations (or modes of transportation) as needed.
Is Bullet Train 2 Happening? When Could It Release?
As Pitt's Bullet Train is a new original IP, it has yet to prove itself at the box office, so a Bullet Train 2 has yet to be announced. If the film performs well enough and connects with audiences, a sequel is entirely possible. If the sequel were to be directed by Leitch, then it would have to wait until after his next film, an adaptation of the TV show The Fall Guy starring Ryan Gosling. This would put a Bullet Train 2 on course for no earlier than 2024. However, if it's a hit and the studio wants to fast track without Leitch at the helm, a sequel could potentially be turned around for a late 2023 debut.
Characters Who Could Return For Bullet Train 2
Pitt's Ladybug is the lead of Bullet Train and thankfully survives the ordeal in the first film, so his character could return for Bullet Train 2. He is shown linking up with his handler, Maria (Sandra Bullock), at the end of the film, so she too could return for a sequel, possibly with an expanded role that would have her get in on the action as well. Brian Tyree Henry's Lemon survives the events of the film and could be back as well, which would be a welcome return as his character steals every scene he's in. The only other survivors who could return for Bullet Train 2 are Sanada's The Elder and Koji's Kimura.
What Could Bullet Train 2's Story Be About?
Having Pitt's Ladybug on another job that leads him to board a bullet train again is the most likely direction for a Bullet Train 2. As both Ladybug and Lemon bonded at the end of Bullet Train, a team-up with the two of them on the same job would make for a fun continuation of their dynamic. Having Ladybug and Bullock's Maria team up would be the next best option. Bullet Train revolves around colorful characters and Pitt's Ladybug is the connection that links them all together. His reaction to everyone else around him is paramount to Bullet Train's concept, making the supporting cast just as important. An expanded role for Ryan Reynolds' Bullet Train character Carver (who appears in a cameo role) would be a welcome surprise, perhaps having him play the villain. Bullet Train 2's story would work best with a new mystery plot featuring a few returning cast members and a host of new ones, while having the train be located in a different country.