We still can’t believe this project is still developing, but more news has emerged surrounding “Midnight Run 2” and it concerns two big elements of the original who have been out of circulation in Hollywood for the past little while.
Deadline reports that actor/comedian Charles Grodin and director Martin Brest are being sought to return for the sequel. Grodin hasn’t been seen on the big screen since 1994’s “It Runs In The Family,” with the exception of appearing in the Zach Braff/Jason Bateman comedy “Fast Track” (aka “The Ex”) in 2006. He stepped away from the big screen roles when he became a father and is also involved in advocacy work. Now that his son is grown, Grodin is looking to return to the big screen with the caveat that he is able to return home to his Connecticut home at the end of the day. He recently turned down a cameo role in Jason Segel’s “The Greatest Muppet Movie Ever Made” because it would require cross country travel for one day of work.
All that said, Grodin has confirmed that rumblings about the sequel have reached his ears saying, “I’ve been led to believe by someone I won’t name that they will ask me and I will consider it.” But really, who wouldn’t consider working with Robert De Niro (again)?
Also apparently coming back is Martin Brest who was pretty much been exiled from Hollywood after directing the Bennifer disaster “Gigli.” Tribeca Productions confirms that are seeking the director for the sequel. This runs opposite to what De Niro said in April when asked about Brest’s involvement he said,”….I don’t think [Martin Brest] would direct it — we’re figuring that out now.”
The original plan of the sequel, which was written by Tim Dowling (“Role Models”), was to set De Niro’s Jack Walsh bounty hunter up with a younger convict who would be the son of Grodin’s character. If Grodin comes back aboard in more than a cameo role, our guess is that the script would be adjusted to expand his role.
Again, we sort of can’t even believe this project is happening because does anyone really want to a sequel to this movie? Yeah, it’s a nice Saturday night 3 AM staple but we have no real desire to see the whole thing rehashed all over again with the same, but much older cast and crew. We’d rather see Grodin team up with Martin Short for a sequel to “Clifford” (seriously).