Magic Mike's Last Dance is thought to be Mike Lane's last bow, but the final curtain call of the Magic Mike franchise does leave the stage door open for possible spinoffs. Presented with the opportunity to direct his own stage show on the West End, a financially strapped Mike decides to leave Tampa, Florida for London, England. He does so at the behest of an unsatisfied socialite named Maxandra who, smitten after a particularly intimate private dance, wants to ensure every woman feels the same empowering ecstasy. Mike has finally found everything he wants; love, a new creative endeavor, and the chance to distance himself from being the main attraction.
Director Steven Soderbergh has hinted in the past about a potential "Magic Mike" universe continuing the franchise (via CBR) despite Mike's ending in Magic Mike's Last Dance. Soderbergh has even suggested a primarily female version of the story similar to the cult classic Showgirls. The elements that make the Magic Mike films so special, including camaraderie, working-class integrity, and the appreciation of the human body in motion have the potential to still attract franchise fans even in a different setting.
Mike Lane Origin Story
Magic Mike shared Mike Lane's story, but it didn't focus on when he first became a male stripper. Though heavily fictionalized, it was based on Channing Tatum's account of being a stripper at 18 and experiencing the highs and lows of the dancing culture despite Tatum's character being aged up for the role. The movie's plot centered on the period of time right before he left the business when Dallas (Matthew McConaughey) was a mentor to Mike while Mike mentored The Kid (Alex Pettyfer), a newcomer to the Xquisite nightclub eager to make a name for himself.
Channing Tatum's movies are defined by the Magic Mike franchise, but his character's story has a pretty conclusive ending in Magic Mike's Last Dance, indicating that any appearances by Mike Lane would need to feature a younger version. Showing what drew him into the lifestyle and his early days as a shy, awkward male stripper could dispel many myths about sex workers in general and the services they provide. It could also grant the opportunity for an up-and-coming actor to make a name for themselves in such an iconic role.
Dallas Origin Story
Along with seeing Mike's origin story, it would also be interesting to find out how Dallas came to own Xquisite and what his life was like in the male stripping scene a decade before. Given that the world-famous Chippendales troupe was established in 1979, a Dallas origin story could highlight how male stripping shows were perceived at a different time. McConaughey is tied up with A Time To Kill 2, but the prequel would need to cast a younger actor, albeit with similar charisma and talent.
McConaughey's performance as the exuberant nightclub owner and MC will be difficult to top, and it's one of the aspects that makes the first Magic Mike film so enjoyable. Unfortunately, he didn't return for Magic Mike XXL and the sequel, though full of plenty of glitz and body oil, was missing the signature Dallas charm. Showing the progression of public attitudes towards male stripping with a Dallas origin story could be a unique angle for the Magic Mike franchise to take if it wants something different.
The Kids' Chippendales Show
The Kid only appeared in the first Magic Mike movie, where he became the marquee star at Xquisite, taking over Mike's position and legacy. Sometime before the events of Magic Mike XXL, he joined Dallas setting up an all-male dance troupe in Macau, and was never seen again. Magic Mike 3 failed to solve a key mystery when it neglected to mention the outcome of Dallas and The Kid's big move. A Magic Mike spinoff could at least find out how the pair were doing traveling the world.
Like Chippendales or Australia's Thunder From Down Under, a spinoff that explores The Kid's touring show could feature not only fabulous new choreographed dance numbers but a little cheeky road trip humor. Each new port would bring new challenges and shenanigans, with The Kid stepping into Mike's role as a role model for the rest of the dancers. This wouldn't be entirely out of left field, particularly given how much international flavor Magic Mike's Last Dance brought to the franchise.
The Magic Mike 3 Dancers Touring Mockumentary
Mike assembles an entirely new dance crew in Magic Mike's Last Dance comprised of dancers from all over the world and all walks of life. Despite participating in the amazing dance sequences in Magic Mike 3, none of these characters are as fleshed out as his original crew from the first two movies and might as well be stage props. Given that their show at The Rattigan is based on the real Magic Mike Live show that's been performing at London's Hippodrome Casino, a spinoff featuring the Magic Mike 3 dancers isn't out of the question.
In the previous two movies, the lead characters were fictional dancers based on real people like Tarzan (Kevin Nash), Big Dick Richie (Joe Manganiello), and Tito (Adam Rodriquez). The dancers from Magic Mike's Last Dance are actually from the London show and the original in Las Vegas, making them the perfect subjects for a touring mockumentary-style spinoff. This could give talented performers like Theophilus O. Bailey and Harry Carter a chance to continue getting exposure and hone their acting skills.
Magic Mike Becoming An Oceans-Style Spy Thriller
Soderbergh directed the remake of Ocean's Eleven and its two sequels, so it's not surprising that he does an homage to those films in Magic Mike's Last Dance. Mike's dance troupe follows a bureaucrat (Vicki Pepperdine) who can make or break their show at The Rattigan, hoping to discover what she most desires and use it to their advantage. Not only do they participate in elaborate spy shenanigans, but they also perform an exciting dance number on a bus to ensure she gives the show her blessing.
In the vein of Miss Congeniality and other spy comedies, having a troupe of all-male strippers undertake secret covert missions could be the unexpected angle that keeps the Magic Mike franchise fresh. Mike's troupe could even help the FBI going undercover at a stripping convention similar to the ones in Magic Mike XXL. Or, perhaps their show closes, and they need to resort to supporting it with heists.
Kings Of Tampa TV Show
It's never explained what happened to Magic Mike's original Kings of Tampa in Magic Mike 3, even though Mike participates in a brief Zoom call with Tarzan, Big Dick Richie, Tito, and Ken. Little is shared between the former dancers about their lives, except that Big Dick Richie is now a dog walker and Mike is in London directing Maxandra's new show. It's hardly where fans saw the Kings of Tampa after Magic Mike XXL, but their own spinoff could change that.
If the Magic Mike franchise decides to explore the Kings of Tampa legacy further, it could be done through a TV show. With that format, each episode could focus on a particular character, giving them even more personality and history. Seeing a few members in Magic Mike 3 made it much more obvious how much their presence added to the prior films and how much they could still contribute to the franchise.
A Female Version Of The Magic Mike Story
It's possible that Salma Hayek's Maxandra could be involved in a female version of the Magic Mike story, particularly since by the end of Magic Mike's Last Dance she was no longer wealthy but still committed to female empowerment. Perhaps she and Mike could start an all-female dancing troupe at The Rattigan, giving the raucous Hannah (Juliette Motamed), who acted as MC for Mike's show, the reins to her own production.
While the appeal of the Magic Mike franchise lies in specifically unveiling the complexities of the male stripping community, it celebrates all humans in motion and provides a positive perspective to all forms of sex work. A movie focused on female strippers, playing to the strengths of something like Hustlers, would go a long way to further representation. Any spinoff highlighting the bonds of friendship, community, and personal artistic expression will carry on the legacy that doesn't have to end with Magic Mike's Last Dance.