It has been ten years since Tom Cruise’s time-loop alien-invasion blockbuster “Edge of Tomorrow” opened in theatres with raving reviews. The film, co-starring Emily Blunt, has since gone on to become a fan-favorite and is often even hailed as one of the best Tom Cruise films within his already stacked and impressive filmography.
The film’s sequel has, however, been in development limbo since 2016, after Doug Liman was announced to be returning to direct. But despite the many delays the film has faced, it still isn’t dead yet.
It was confirmed earlier this year that Warner Bros are still interested in producing a sequel after a contractual partnership between the studio and Cruise. And once again, the hopes for the film’s sequel to come out someday have been reassured by none other than the film’s director, Doug Liman himself.
Speaking to Empire ahead of the release of his latest film “The Instigators,” Liman confirmed that the “Edge of Tomorrow” sequel isn’t dead yet. “No, we keep talking about it,” he says – the other part of that ‘we’ being Cruise himself. “We love that world.” If it does come about, it wouldn’t be the first time a sci-fi sequel has survived a protracted gestation period. “I don’t know how long Cameron took with his Terminators,” Liman notes, “but at the time it felt like a long time.”
He further revealed that he and Cruise rewatched the first film a couple of months ago. “Tom and I actually rewatched it about two months ago because I hadn’t seen it in 10 years,” says Liman. “I was like, ‘Wow, that is a really good movie.'”
Whether or not the follow-up eventually happens, Liman is pleased that “Edge of Tomorrow” has found its own longevity. “I haven’t necessarily always had the good fortune of having movies that have huge opening weekends,” he admits. He further added, “‘Bourne Identity’ lost to ‘Scooby-Doo’ on its opening weekend. And ‘Swingers’ came and went from the theaters. What I’ve come to understand is, I’m making movies for the long term. I’m an ego-driven guy; I’d like to get accolades now. But I also recognize that, if I was given the choice, I’ll choose making films that people 50 years from now are still watching.”
Doug Liman’s Edge of Tomorrow was based on the manga “All You Need Is Kill” by Hiroshi Sakurazaka and follows the story of Major William Cage (Tom Cruise), who finds himself reliving an alien attack until he can finally defeat the extraterrestrial foe. The film, which saw a lackluster box office reception upon release, has since gone on to become a fan-favourite. A television spin-off is also currently in the works at HBO Max.
Doug Limon’s new movie “The Instigators” comes to select cinemas and streams on Apple TV+ from August 9.