The long-rumored sequel to Edge of Tomorrow may be further along than we previously believed, even though it is still a few years off from happening. Director Doug Liman has confirmed that sequel won’t be called Edge of Tomorrow 2, and he also promised that it would redefine sequels as we know them.
While speaking with Collider, Liman offered a very enthusiastic update about the film. âWe have an amazing story! Itâs incredible,” exclaimed Liman. “Way better than the first film, and I obviously loved the first film. It will be called Live Die Repeat and Repeat. Tom [Cruise] is excited about it, and Emily Blunt is excited about it. The big question is just when weâll do it. But itâs not an if, itâs a when.â
When Edge of Tomorrow was released on home video, it was re-branded as Live. Die. Repeat., and it appears that the original theatrical title is being dropped for the sequel. There is also the question of whether the new movie is even a sequel at all, since Liman indicated that it is “a sequel thatâs a prequel.”
âI had these intellectual ideas on how you should make a sequel that are unlike how anybody else makes a sequel, and this script and this idea fit perfectly into that idea,” related Liman. “So itâs gonna revolutionize how people make sequels. And again thatâs why I try to do things like Invisible that are just, the revolutionâs sort of built into the idea. Itâs more heresy in the film world for me to pitch things that are sort of unheard of.â
The big question now is where can a sequel go? Edge of Tomorrow covered most of the original story from All You Need Is Kill. However, the darker ending of the novel could hold the key for the sequel if Cruise’s Bill Cage and Emily Blunt’s Rita Vrataski realize that one of them has to die for the time loops to cease. That would not only be a very dark direction to go in, it would also negate the upbeat ending of the first film.
If it’s a prequel, then it would make sense to give Rita a much larger role as she carves out her legend after being exposed the alien blood that allows her to relive each day. The downside of that is it would reduce the role of Bill Cage in the story, since he didn’t become a warrior until living through a similar experience again and again.
Another alternative would be to make the new film a midquel, which would be a narrative that takes place within the original story. That would allow both Blunt and Cruise to have an equal role in the script without significantly changing the events of the first film. But the inherent problems of prequels and midquels is that we have a pretty good idea about how they will end. Presumably Liman and the writers of the sequel have an idea that would give the audience some suspense while further developing both leads from the original story. We’re certainly eager to see what they come up with!
What do you want from Live Die Repeat and Repeat? Leave a comment below, then come back again and again when you reset the day!
Images: Warner Bros. Pictures