Exploring the vast landscape of cinematic history often reveals hidden gems, including sequels that managed to slip under the radar for many movie enthusiasts. While some sequels bask in the spotlight of their predecessors, others quietly emerge, surprising audiences with their existence. In this blog post, we delve into the realm of film sequels that may have eluded your cinematic radar. From unexpected continuations to stealthy follow-ups, join us as we uncover 10 movie sequels that you probably didn’t know about.
The List of 10 Movie Sequels You Probably Didn’t Know About
1. ‘Django Unchained’
2012
In Django Unchained, Jamie Foxx takes on the role of Django Freeman, a liberated slave turned bounty hunter on a mission to free his wife. Film enthusiasts closely examined the movie for references connecting it to other works by Quentin Tarantino. Their diligence paid off when they unearthed a revelation that linked this prequel to a blaxploitation classic.
During the promotion of the revisionist Western at Comic Con in 2012, Quentin Tarantino disclosed that the characters portrayed by Jamie Foxx and Kerry Washington were ancestors of the blaxploitation icon John Shaft. This revelation, along with Tarantino’s interview and Broomhilda von Shaft’s surname, serves as crucial evidence supporting the notion that Django Unchained is indeed a prequel to the Shaft series.
2. ‘Charlie’s Angels’
2000
Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu, and Cameron Diaz take on the roles of private detectives in Charlie’s Angels. This second generation of Angels follows the path paved by the original cast from the TV series, which aired from 1976 to 1981.
John Forsythe, the actor who originally voiced Charlie in the television series, continues to lend his voice in the film adaptation. Although the connection to the original is subtly suggested in the initial installment, it is only in Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle that Jaclyn Smith makes a cameo as an original Angel, definitively confirming that the Charlie’s Angels films serve as sequels to the iconic television show.
3. ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom’
1984
Every single fan who attended theaters to see Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in 1984 believed they were witnessing a sequel to Raiders of the Lost Ark. To this day, the majority of viewers remain unaware that Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is, in fact, a covert prequel to the initial Indiana Jones movie.
The sole nod to the idea of a prequel lies in the date presented at the beginning of the second film. The events of this stealth prequel unfold in 1935, a year before the action in Raiders of the Lost Ark unfolds.
4. ’21 Jump Street’
2012
Upon entering the theater for 2012’s 21 Jump Street, audiences anticipated a standard adaptation of the old television series as a buddy cop comedy. However, a surprising turn of events occurred during the movie’s climax: a cameo by Johnny Depp and Peter DeLuise in the midst of a Mexican stand-off. This revelation disclosed that 21 Jump Street is, in fact, a sequel to the original television series.
Officers Tom Hanson and Doug Penhall’s appearance serves as a crucial clue, indicating that Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum’s characters exist as legacy figures within the same cinematic universe as the TV show. The uncredited cameos were shrouded in secrecy until the film’s premiere, leaving fans genuinely astonished by the unexpected ties to the television series.
5. ‘Prometheus’
2012
In the developmental phase, the studio deliberated on whether to position Prometheus as a reboot or a direct prequel to Alien. Certain critics dubbed the film a quasi-prequel, aligning more closely with Ridley Scott’s intended vision for the project.
In the climax of this science fiction horror movie, an alien bursts out of a deceased Engineer’s chest, serving as a cameo that indicates a link to the original series. However, fans found themselves perplexed about how Prometheus fits into the broader Alien franchise. Ridley Scott clarified that while the film is set in the same universe, the connection is intricate due to the prequel’s pursuit of its unique narrative ideas.
6. ‘Split’
2016
Renowned for his unexpected plot twists, Director M. Night Shyamalan has a knack for surprising audiences. In the closing minutes of Split, viewers were blindsided by an uncredited appearance by Bruce Willis, connecting the film to the 2000 release Unbreakable.
Split seamlessly became the second installment in the unfolding Unbreakable trilogy. Though subtle clues are subtly woven into the film, they are discreet enough that a first-time viewer might not readily discern the connection. The clandestine nature of Willis’ cameo renders it one of M. Night’s most impactful twists since The Sixth Sense. Unless forewarned by a spoiler alert, viewers would not perceive Split as a sequel until the movie’s conclusion.
7. ‘Star Trek’
2009
Promoted as an origin tale, Star Trek surprised viewers by intertwining itself with earlier Star Trek films. Leonard Nimoy, in a time-traveling reprisal of his role as an elderly Spock, bridges the gap between the original series and the Star Trek films in the Kelvin timeline.
The manipulation of the timeline propels new characters into an alternate series of events. However, it’s crucial to note that the Kelvin timeline, despite its divergence, serves as a reboot within the same cinematic universe as the original series. The unexpected inclusion of the original Spock firmly establishes Star Trek as a precursor to the movies released between 1979 and 1991.
8. ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’
2017
The ensemble from Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle gathered for a photo amidst the jungle setting, as captured by Columbia Pictures.
Initially thought to be a contemporary reimagining of the 1995 Jumanji starring the late Robin Williams, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle took an unexpected turn. In the midst of the narrative, the new Jumanji participants stumble upon a makeshift shelter crafted by Robin Williams’ character, complete with a carved message on a branch wall that reads “Allan Parrish Was Here.”
While the cast and director had hinted at paying homage to the original, the revelation that the movie serves as a sequel to the 1995 picture caught everyone off guard. Alongside the Allan Parrish reference, the antagonist in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle shares the same surname as the villain from the 1995 film, providing concrete evidence of the interconnectedness between the two movies.
9. ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’
2021
Spider-Man: No Way Home introduces alternate versions of the web-slinger when Doctor Strange opens a portal to the multiverse. Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield return to their roles as Spider-Man, solidifying Spider-Man: No Way Home as a continuation of Spider-Man: Far From Home and a subtle follow-up to Spider-Man 3 and The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
Numerous fans had speculated that the comic book movie would make nods to previous Parkers, but Garfield swiftly dispelled these fan theories during the promotional campaign for the MCU film. All three Spider-Men enjoy substantial screen time, and by the conclusion of the film, the sequel neatly ties up the character arcs for each of them from their respective initial installments.
10. ‘The Flash’
2023
In the upcoming The Flash movie, the incorporation of time travel allows The Sultan of Speed to explore various timelines. Michael Keaton’s appearance in the Superbowl trailer hinted to unsuspecting fans that The Flash would extend the narrative of Tim Burton’s Batman.
This forthcoming film was foreshadowed in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and audiences had anticipated the integration of diverse characters from the DCEU properties. While it’s logical that General Zod, the primary antagonist from Man of Steel, links the movie to other DCEU works, Keaton’s return as The Caped Crusader transforms The Flash into a covert sequel to Batman Returns.
Conclusion
As we wrap up this cinematic journey into the realm of hidden movie sequels, it becomes clear that the world of film is filled with surprises and untold stories. Unearthing these lesser-known sequels adds a new layer of appreciation for the diverse ways filmmakers choose to extend beloved narratives. Whether these hidden gems enhance the original experience or stand as unique entries in their own right, they remind us that the world of cinema is an ever-evolving landscape, offering unexpected treasures for those willing to explore beyond the familiar. So, next time you find yourself diving into the vast sea of movies, keep an eye out for those elusive sequels that may just redefine your understanding of a beloved cinematic universe.
