Word of mouth on Jumper isn’t too positive, but the general consensus is that the premise still kinda rocks. Moreover, the image above is worth a hundred sci-fi strike-outs like Next, and hey, it’s not a remake. But the film, which opened to $38 million over the long weekend, has long been keyed in as the first in a so-trendy trilogy, and now director Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, Swingers) has discussed a sequel with Collider’s Frosty in a super-caffeinated interview. The possibilities for Jumper 2 would seem boundless, from time travel to extraterrestrial teleporting to career longevity for Rachel Bilson.
“I actually have a ton of ideas for the sequel because this is whole new arena for me and so my mind was in overdrive the whole time and most of the ideas I came up with we either could tease or just save it for a sequel and so it’s…this power can be used to leave this planet, this power can be used ultimately to go back in time, this power can be used if you go and work for the government you’d be the ultimate Jason Bourne.”
What follows is a spoiler-ish quote from Liman, so I’m going to, er, jump it. But I have to say that unlike a flick like The Chronicles of Riddick, I hope this entire vision is seen through. He also discussed his (possibly 3D?) to-the-moon project with Jake Gyllenhaal, and his Valerie Plame biopic so just cruise through Spoilerville for that.
“…Rachel Bilson’s character learns how to teleport in the 2nd book…In this case [the teleportation powers] are taught and it’s, you know, one of the things that may sort of…things we toyed with on this movie is do we actually need to do the obligatory rule scene, where you lay out everything the power can and can’t do. We ultimately decided to say we’re changing so many other sort of aspects of this genre like let’s not do the rule scene because the rules don’t ultimately…the limitations of this power aren’t ultimately…don’t factor into the finale…”
“Well, you know the kind of jumping that we’re showing in the movie which is a kind of worm hole jump which is why those scars are left behind, if you can travel through space through a worm hole from a scientific Einstein point of view, you could also travel through time. So you know that’s not quantum teleportation which is featured in the film, so I’m very specific to show those scars and to show that you’re leaving a worm hole and in fact that’s what Rachel Bilson gets pulled through in the end, so it’s….I’ve left myself open…I’ve left the door open to time travel because of the specific kind of teleportation that I chose to portray in this film.”
End spoiler.
Either way, it seems that Jumper 2 will not be next for Liman, who’s prepping two projects: the Untitled Valerie Plame Biopic starring Nicole Kidman, which Liman curiously says would be the “most radical and revolutionary move of my career,” calling his take on the material “art”; and his 2009 Untitled Moon Project with Jake Gyllenhaal.
“One of them is with Jake Gyllenhaal about a private expedition to go to the moon present day. And I think when the United States of America put a man on the moon in 1969 that was one of the greatest accomplishments mankind has ever done. And rather than tell that as a historic movie I was like can I make this relevant to a modern audience, can I have modern characters today follow the blueprint of Apollo and re-create the Apollo mission today using parts stolen from the Smithsonian Museum.”
He goes on to say he might “throw in some 3D for the hell of it” on that project or a future one.
Discuss: How impressed were you with Liman’s Jumper, and do you hope his sequel talk becomes realized?
February 18th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
While I don’t agree with the negative reviews Jumper has recieved, I can say that I am not suprised. Too often these days it seems critics go to a movie looking for an Oscar contender which, and I’m sure Liman will agree, Jumper was NEVER meant to be.
I was excited for this movie ever since I heard about it and even went to read the first book. I was very pleased with how the movie came out, especially with how the ability of teleportation could be utilized in day-to-day use and especially in a fight. Liman is right when he says there’s a lot out there you could do, and I for one hope a sequel is pursued.
I for one just hope he doesn’t follow through with the ridiculous non-story that the Valerie Plame incident was. It would make for a terrible movie and probably be recieved with the same “success” as Lions for Lambs.
February 18th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
it would be neat if he jumped to the star wars galaxy to redo his acting in the PT.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
I agree with jreffy. Jumper is far better than the critics say. I enjoyed it immensely and hope for a sequel.
February 18th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
“it would be neat if he jumped to the star wars galaxy to redo his acting in the PT”
That is the greatest comment I´ve read in a long time :D :D . Just great!
February 18th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I actually quite enjoyed Jumper on a popcorn level. Could it have been better? yes. I just hope the sequel doesn’t star Hayden Christensen.
February 18th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
i actually look forward to the moon movie, although i am kinda surprised gyllenhaal signed up for it. thought he’s be off doing some action flick with michael mann by now. hey, that’s not a bad idea!
February 18th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
jumper was the most fun i’ve had at the theater since juno
February 18th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
I fervently hope that they will replace Bilson as Millie w/ much better looking & talented actress. She SUCKS the most in the film!
February 18th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
I quite enjoyed this film. Screw the critics who didn’t like this, it was as jreffy says, not an Oscar film. It did however have some problems, but I’m willing to wait for a sequel that better tells the story.
February 18th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
I loved Jumper, the critics are too bitchy. Im really hoping for a sequel, please make Jumper 2 Doug. =)
February 18th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
This movie was awesome, no one listen to the critics. I cant wait for the dvd even though the movie just came out. Please Doug make a sequel.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Other than it being to short, I enjoyed it. Hopefully Liman and crew will put out a special extended dvd. It’ll have to be really “special” (as in 30+ min. more footage) in order for me to purchase it though.
February 19th, 2008 at 2:07 am
That was spot-on about Bilson’s career, lol. Here’s the thing however, WTF is it with Doug Liman and “having a ton of ideas for the sequel”??? When you do a movie based on a book, can’t you follow the book a tiny bit? First Bourne, now Jumper? Just follow the damn book’s plot, and if you have “ideas” make an original movie!
February 19th, 2008 at 10:25 am
GOD this movie was a mess. NO MORE PLEASE! If they do- please- cast a mailbox in the lead- it would act with more emotion. Who was I suppsoe to root for in this flick? EVERYONE was so damn unlikeable.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:50 am
I don’t know who was the worst actor–Christensen or Bilson. The movie was a bit shallow and disappointing–but those two made it so much worse. Better actors could have made all the diferrence.
February 19th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
not so sure if that would be a good idea, might as well not push their luck
February 19th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I enjoyed the movie and would absolutely go see the sequel, mostly because I heard rumors that it would be more about Jamie Bell (Griffin). He was the only thing worth watching in that movie because this was most certainly not Christiensen’s or Bilson’s crowning achievement.
February 19th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
I loved this movie. I am really hoping for a sequel, and if they do make one I hope the same cast is in it. Make another one Doug!
February 19th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
This movie was really good. Im hoping for a sequel. If there will be a sequel it can explain even more about Jumper’s and Paladin’s. I cant wait for the dvd. Liman please make another Jumper.
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:19 am
I hope they make a sequel, this movie is my favorite movie now. Awesome movie Doug make another one
March 3rd, 2008 at 8:11 am
The movie is great, it’s what I’ve been waiting for. Hope for a sequel. And you people, you can write what ever you want, Hayden and Rachel are best actors for this movie.
March 7th, 2008 at 9:14 am
This movie was awesome, i cant wait for the sequel and the dvd!
May 13th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
I liked this movie. I liked the cliffhangers, and i cant wait to watch it on dvd.