A summer blockbuster that can be enjoyed from the comfort of home, Netflix’s Project Power leaves ample opportunities for a possible sequel, or even a potential franchise. Starring Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Dominique Fishback, the film is taking Netflix by storm, earning the top slot in the streaming service’s “Top Ten in the U.S. Today” list within days of its premiere. Project Power is directed by duo Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman who are also known for their documentary Catfish (which spawned the popular TV series), the third and fourth Paranormal Activity films, and 2017’s Nerve. The screenplay is written by Mattson Tomlin, a co-writer of DC’s upcoming film The Batman.
Set in New Orleans, Project Power tells the story of a pill simply known as “Power,” which, when activated and ingested, gives its user a superpower for five minutes. Though an enticing prospect, the power is random and is as likely to have deadly side effects for its user as not. All connected to the pill in different ways, a high school student, a local cop, and a former soldier are drawn together in an effort to track down Power's source. Though an action-packed thriller, the film doesn’t shy away from addressing systemic oppression, telling a story that is both exciting and meaningful. Here are the ways Project Power sets up a sequel and possibly even more. Warning: major spoilers ahead.
Related: Project Power Cast Guide: Where You Recognize The Actors From
The Film’s Open-Ended Final Scene
Though each main character’s story is wrapped up in a satisfying way, Project Power unambiguously leaves the door open for a sequel. When Frank (played by Gordon-Levitt) asks Art (played by Foxx) if he “think(s) this is really over,” Art replies: “For me, it is.” While Art intends to move on from all of the chaos that Power caused, Frank does not seem to be finished with it just yet. He tells Art that he intends to expose the New Orleans Police Department’s corruption and involvement with Power’s distribution, an action that could very likely fuel the events of a sequel. If, as Project Power's ending suggests, Frank brings knowledge of Power to the general public, it’s possible that a new enemy could step forward, whether from Power’s parent company, Teleios, or from an as of yet unknown source. Though Frank will probably be kicked off the force (or might choose to leave it voluntarily), he is clearly invested in stopping Power from ruining any more lives and has demonstrated relative comfort with operating outside the law.
Power Could Be A Part Of Robin's Future
Though she now has the money she needs to support herself and her mother, Robin (played by Fishback) has a strong desire to do the right thing, which means she would likely reappear in a Power Project sequel. Throughout the film, Robin frequently risks her life for the good of others even when she has the option of walking away safely. Having seen how Power destroyed so many lives, Robin will probably want to help if the pill begins to cause problems again. Additionally, the fact that her song makes it onto the radio at the end of the film means that a sequel might see Robin in the music industry– and the public eye. If her past involvement with Power comes to light, it could threaten her career even though she was instrumental in stopping its further distribution.
Project Power’s Main Villain Could Still Be Alive
Though Gardner, the leader of Teleios, seems to be dead, it’s possible she could still return for a sequel. In the news reports heard after the showdown on The Genesis, a radio DJ announces that the Coast Guard has not found “any sign of the ship” and that the NOPD isn’t speaking about the incident at all. While this audio plays, however, the ship is shown, still on the water, with two smaller boats approaching it and a helicopter overhead. These smaller ships could be from the Coast Guard or from Teleios; it’s unclear. Audiences know that Teleios has some control over the New Orleans Police Department, so it seems likely that they could control elements of the Coast Guard as well. Either way, they may not yet be gone for good.
Other members of the corporation could step forward to lead if Gardner is indeed dead, but it’s also possible that she survived her accident–– potentially with the help of a Power pill. Biggie (Rodrigo Santoro), who was facilitating Power’s distribution, had a necklace with a pill in it, and though it may be nothing more than a piece of jewelry, it’s possible Gardner’s necklace hides a pill too. Given Tracy’s ability to save Art’s life, there’s also the possibility that Teleios has the ability to revive the dead, meaning viewers may not have seen the last of Project Power's main villain.
Tracy and Art Could Be the Subjects of Their Own Films
If Project Power is made into a full-fledged franchise, Tracy and Art’s backstories could both easily be turned into prequels or solo films. One option would be to chart Art’s origin story, beginning with his choice to join the military and then following him through the process of being selected and experimented on, including his subsequent fight to keep his daughter Tracy out of Teleios’s reach. Tracy could also certainly helm her own film, either telling the story of her life up until the events of Project Power or chronicling what happens afterward. Both would be compelling stories, given that Tracy is the only character we know of so far who's had powers her whole life. A prequel film could explore her relationship with her father and her journey as she learns about what she is capable of. She could also be the protagonist of a potential Project Power sequel in which she explores her powers or faces off with Teleios. If the organization goes after Tracy again, fans can be certain that Art will make a reappearance as he continues to do everything he can to protect her.
There Could Be Others With Permanent Powers
Since Tracy got her powers in a way that mirrors Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, it’s entirely possible that more young people with permanent powers exist. A spin-off film could follow such individuals, who are probably around Tracy’s age and may or may not understand their abilities. Teleios could eventually catch wind of these other children of former test subjects and pursue them like they did Tracy, paving the way for an adjacent film (or films), should Project Power develop into a franchise.
The existence of other permanently powered kids could also be a plotline in a sequel film, and could even draw Art and Tracy out of hiding. Given his repeated use of Power, it’s even possible that Frank could pass something on to his own kids, should he have any. In fact, it’s possible that anyone who has used Power could pass it on to their children, meaning that New Orleans and other test cities might hold entire future generations with permanent powers.
Project Power has cleverly set up a myriad of options for Netflix to create a sequel or even a full franchise and has done so without compromising the integrity of the film as a standalone piece. The wide array of options arise from a well-written story rather than some additional forced plot point that opens up other avenues. The film, while still grand in scale and engaging to watch, doesn’t bite off more than it can chew. Instead, Project Power is a satisfying piece of something that has the potential to be a fascinating and much larger narrative.