Netflix's Spenser Confidential has been officially released globally and neatly sets Spenser Confidential 2 - but will it happen and what can fans expect if it does? The film is based on the characters created by Robert B. Parker. After debuting in 1973's The Godwulf Manuscript, Parker revisited the characters for over forty stories. Following Parker's passing, however, the series was taken over by crime reporter-turned-novelist Ace Atkins. He has since written eight novels. It was his second story, 2013's Wonderland, that served as the loose inspiration for Spencer Confidential.
Directed by Peter Berg, the film marked the fifth collaboration with Mark Wahlberg following 2018's Mile 22. Wahlberg stars as Spenser, a former Boston police officer who was imprisoned for assaulting his captain, John Boylan (Michael Gaston). Released after a five-year sentence, Spenser immediately pursued his goal to start fresh in Arizona. Unfortunately, the murder of Boylan and the suicide of another former colleague drew Spenser into a web of murder, drug trafficking, and police corruption.
Spenser Confidential also stars Alan Arkin as Spencer's boxing coach Henry, Iliza Shlesinger as his fiery ex Cissy, and Winston Duke as his new roommate Hawk. All three found themselves dragged into proceedings as Spenser sought to unravel the mystery and put some past demons to rest. Interspersed with frequent set-pieces both action-packed and comedically driven, Spenser Confidential has proven extremely successful for the streaming service, despite extremely lukewarm reviews. As a result, many fans have questioned whether or not a sequel is forthcoming.
Spenser Confidential Sets Up A Sequel
Spenser Confidential laid the groundwork for a follow-up. Having dismantled Driscoll's criminal empire in action-packed fashion, Spenser sat down to enjoy a meal with Hawk, Henry, and Cissy. As the group chit-chatted, a news report came on the TV and reported on a fatal fire from while Spenser was in prison. Spenser immediately recognized the man being arrested as somebody he went to high school with. Despite Henry's pleas for the channel to be changed, Spenser remained transfixed as his former classmate declared his innocence and begged for help. It was clear from Spenser's expression that the personal connection had once again sparked his detective instincts and would push him straight into a new case.
Though the name of Spenser's high school friend was different, the nature of the reported case sounded extremely similar to that from Atkins' fifth Spenser novel, Slow Burn - which sees Spenser pursue a dangerous arsonist. Whether Spenser Confidential 2 follows through on this threat remains unclear. On one hand, it would make for a compelling follow-up story. On the other, however, it could just as likely serve as a fitting coda that emphasizes Spenser's core tendencies before leap-frogging over it to another novel's central mystery.
Spenser Confidential 2 Isn't Confirmed Yet
Unfortunately for fans, it's far too early to know if Netflix will officially greenlight Spenser Confidential 2. There are, however, many reasons to remain hopeful. First, the idea of a blockbuster movie franchise bolstered by such an A-list star as Wahlberg would no doubt be beneficial to the streaming service. That would already have been the case, but the fact that Spenser Confidential has consistently remained in Netflix's new Top 10 rankings since its global release will assuredly increase the chances of a sequel. Equally, fans of the Spenser books learning that a whole series of adaptations are safely in the works will likely generate some new subscribers.
Spenser Confidential 2 Release Date Prediction
Spenser Confidential was first announced in mid-2018, making it almost two years before it was finally released on screens. As such, it would likely make mid-to-late 2022 a solid pick for when Spenser Confidential 2 could emerge. Of course, it would all depend on Wahlberg's schedule. While he would no doubt welcome working with Berg a sixth time, he remains an extremely in-demand actor. Following his breakout turn in Black Panther, the same also goes for Duke - who could return for the upcoming sequel in a more villainous role. Given that and the production difficulties emerging as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak, it could be even longer before Spenser Confidential 2 starts filming, much less hits screens.