A sequel to Jean-Francois Richet’s Plane is in the works, with US production companies MadRiver Pictures, Di Bonaventura Pictures and G-Base Productions re-teaming on the project, titled Ship.
US actor Mike Colter will return in a leading role, while French filmmaker Richet is not anticipated to stay on as director, but will executive produce. Colter is the only confirmed cast member to reprise their roles.
Santa Barbara-based sales company The Veterans – a joint venture of Wild Bunch International & MadRiver Pictures- will discuss the project in Berlin with buyers in anticipation of a shoot in late 2023. CAA Media Finance is representing the domestic rights.
Plane was released by Lionsgate around the world in January of this year and has grossed around $43m to-date. The follow-up will continue where it left off and focus on Colter, an accused murderer and ex-French legionnaire Louis Gaspare. He escaped extradition to Toronto when Trailblazer Flight 119 went down in the Philippines, and formed an unlikely partnership with star Gerard Butler’s captain Brodie Torrance to rescue the plane’s passengers and crew from pirates.
Gaspare is now the subject of an international man hunt, and attempts to stay under the radar by setting sail for South Africa, only to discover the cargo ship he is stowed away on is being used for human trafficking.
A director and writer have yet to be attached, with discussions underway.
Plane was picked up by Lionsgate from sales agent MadRiver Pictures in 2019. Lionsgate pulled out of the project due to concerns about pandemic insurance in 2020. However, the title was re-acquired by Lionsgate from MadRiver Pictures in 2019.
