Dredd lead Karl Urban would be game to return as udge Dredd in a follow-up to the gritty 2012 film. Based on John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra's 2000 AD comic strip Judge Dredd, the story follows the titular law enforcer in a post-apocalyptic dystopian metropolis. A film adaptation was first made in 1995 starring Sylvester Stallone, but reviews were mixed and Wagner felt that it wasn't a faithful adaptation of the source material he had written. The 2012 Dredd film starring Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, and Lena Headey was largely acclaimed by critics, and praised by Wagner specifically.

Despite a generally positive response, Dredd had a lackluster box office, barely breaking even. A number of factors contributed to this, including the film's creative but ultimately ineffective marketing strategy and the release of a similar film mere months before its premiere in The Raid: Redemption. The same year the film debuted, screenwriter Alex Garland discussed plans for three movies based on a certain projected box office of $50 million. The next year, an executive producer on the film said it was unlikely to go further.

Related: Every Karl Urban Movie, Ranked From Worst To Best​​​​However, the film did much better in home media numbers and developed a cult following in the decade since its release, with pressure from fans making a long-awaited Dredd sequel film or series a little more likely. In a video for GQ, Urban addresses the possibility of reprising the role in a sequel. See what he has to say below:

And you know, I certainly would be interested to revisit the character, there's just such a great depth of material there that was written by John Wagner and various writers over the years, particularly stories revolving around Judge Death, and a lot of great stories. It doesn't bother me if I get the opportunity to play Dredd again, or someone else. I would just love to see those stories, I'd be excited for anybody who gets their hands on the rights to do that, that'd be incredible.

Dredd Movie Karl Urban

Urban's mentions of Judge Death refer to one of Judge Dredd's main antagonists in the comic series. One of Garland's early drafts of the 2012 film introduced a Judge Death storyline, which was ultimately scrapped as it was less accessible for general audiences that hadn't been introduced to the comics. A Judge Death storyline was then hinted at by Garland for a third Dredd film, which of course never came to fruition. As Judge Death is Judge Dredd's most popular villain, it makes sense that Urban would like to see that fascinating story adapted. His past comments on this as well as other films and series (Star Trek, The Boys) indicate a strong belief in the projects he has participated in and a desire to return to those universes, which is good news for fans of his work.

In an industry that can often feel cookie-cutter or lacking in passion, Urban's genuine enthusiasm for the roles he has played is heartening. When he was first cast, he expressed concerns to producers about having to act when his eyes would never be visible, due to Judge Dredd's helmet. He was able to overcome this hurdle and was ultimately praised by critics for his ability to convey emotions with his voice, mannerisms, and chin. He underwent intense physical training for the part and trained with weapons to learn how to operate under fire. Urban insisted on doing his own motorcycle stunts for the movie and took on a deep, gravelly voice for the character that was difficult to maintain. His comments indicate that he'd be willing to take it all on again if it meant seeing a new Dredd story, proving his commitment to the original material.

Source: GQ