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Matthew Vaughn Has Big Plans for the ‘Kingsman’ Franchise

Another sequel will be released next year, and Matthew Vaughn also has ambitions for a shared universe.
By  · Published on September 24th, 2018

In a Hollywood that’s obsessed with superhero movie franchises, Kingsman is a breath of fresh air when it comes to comic book adaptations. Matthew Vaughn and Mark Millar‘s action-comedy-espionage saga provides entertainment to those of us who want to see more church massacres and controversial comedy in modern blockbusters. So it’s good to know that another sequel is currently in production.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Kingsman 3 will hit theaters on November 8, 2019. Vaughn will return to write and direct the sequel, which is expected to see Eggsy (Taron Egerton) and Harry (Colin Firth) embark on one final world-saving adventure, though nothing has been set in stone yet. In the September 2017 edition of Total Film, Vaughn also revealed that he wants Dwayne Johnson to play the villain in the third movie. Given that Johnson never stops working, I wouldn’t be surprised if that happens.

This is a smart move on Fox’s part. With Bond 25 being moved to 2020, there’s a gap in the market next year for a spy-themed blockbuster. Kingsman is like the James Bond franchise’s cheekier little brother, so it’s an ideal replacement for 007. Besides, the sooner this movie happens the better: if all goes according to plan, the Kingsman franchise has an exciting future ahead of it. Vaughn and co. have plans for more adventures for their profitable franchise in mind — on the big screen, as well as the small one.

In addition to the threequel, Vaughn has revealed that a period-set prequel titled Kingsman: The Great Game, which will chronicle the spy organization in the early 1900s, is in the works. Also on the agenda is an eight-hour TV series, and a Statesman spinoff movie following the exploits of the American agents played by Channing Tatum, Jeff Bridges, and Halle Berry in last year’s sequel, Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

The prequel is the most enticing project of all these possibilities. It’s also the only one that provides some substantial information. The story will likely take place in 1919 given that was when the organization was formed. The post-World War I period serving as the backdrop is also perfect for a Kingsman movie since global conflicts call for secret agents. Maybe we’ll see an alternate history approach to the story where key historical figures from that era are integrated into the madness in fun and inventive ways?

Of course, the Statesman spinoff makes a lot of sense since the characters have already been introduced to audiences. The Kingsman movies also have a British flavor thanks to the lead actors, so an American alternative could be a lot of fun — especially if Tatum, Bridges, and Berry reprise their roles from The Golden Circle. Or, they could introduce a new cast and base events in a new time period. They should consider setting this one in the 1950s and satirizing Cold War/Communist hysteria. Or, maybe they could set it in contemporary times and center the story around a mission to retrieve a “fictional” president’s pee-centric sex tape before it falls into the wrong hands? The possibilities are endless.

As for the TV show, all we know is how many episodes it will contain. Espionage capers are well-suited to television, so eight episodes will allow for a meatier and more in-depth story to be told. If the series can provide the mystery and thrills of shows like The Night Of coupled with the laughs of Chuck, Kingsman on the small screen could end up being the definitive spy show. “The Red Diamond” comics would make for a fine adaptation if they wanted to explore that route. But if the movies have told us anything it’s that this franchise has its own vision. This is one shared universe I’d love to see go according to plan.

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Kieran is a Contributor to the website you're currently reading. He also loves the movie Varsity Blues.