Jarhead 2: Field Of Fire took the original Sam Mendes' war drama and turned it into an STV action franchise. While straight to video sequels to theatrical movies used to be looked upon with scorn, they've become increasingly popular in the last decade or so. The rise of DVD and streaming services meant more eyeballs on these follow-ups, and sequels such as Universal Soldier: Day Of Reckoning and Curse Of Chucky have proven it's possible to make STV sequels that equal and even surpass their theatrical predecessors.
That said, its also a genre littered with duds too, from Lost Boys 2: The Tribe to Easy Rider: The Ride Back and Ace Ventura Jr.: Pet Detective. One of the oddest STV franchises to emerge in recent years is the Jarhead series, which is based on the Sam Mendes (1917) movie of the same name. This 2005 war drama starred Jake Gyllenhaal (Spider-Man: Far From Home), Jamie Foxx and Dennis Haysbert, and was based on the memoirs of a Gulf War sniper. Far from being an action movie, the film was more of a psychological drama. While the movie's performances received praise the overall response was mixed and it was a financial disappointment.
Jarhead wasn't an obvious candidate for a sequel either, but the title was dusted off for 2014's Jarhead 2: Field Of Fire. This follow-up has essentially nothing in common with the first film, with no returning characters or links. Instead, it was directed by Don Michael Paul (Tremors: A Cold Day In Hell) and involves a team of marines who must make it through hostile territory in Afghanistan with the aid of some Navy SEALS. The movie is serviceable but forgettable action fare, with enough gunfights and explosions to keep things interesting.
Jarhead 2: Field Of Fire is also aided by a cast of seasoned pros like Cole Hauser and Stephen Lang (Avatar) in the cast. While it was bizarre seeing a double pack pairing it with the original, it was successful enough to spawn a franchise. Those fans begging for a link between the original later got their wish with 2016's Jarhead 3: The Siege, which featured the return of Dennis Haysbert's Major Lincoln. It also co-starred reigning STV action star Scott Adkins and a plot that was noted for its similarity to 13 Hours.
Jarhead 3: The Siege didn't receive reviews that were any better than the second entry, but it was still enough of a hit to spawn Jarhead: Law Of Return. This fourth entry seems inspired by 2001's Behind Enemy Lines, with a fighter pilot (Devon Sawa, Final Destination) shot down over Syrian airspace and a team of Marine Raiders setting out to rescue him. Again, the movie was directed by Jarhead 2: Field Of Fire's Don Michael Paul and was met with a mostly negative response, but it will likely receive a fifth chapter regardless.