AceShowbiz - Bob Odenkirk, who stars and produces the action-comedy franchise Nobody, recently discussed the uncertain future of the series, particularly the prospects for a third installment. Speaking to ScreenRant’s Ash Crossan on the red carpet at the Saturn Awards, Odenkirk addressed questions about whether Nobody 3 will move forward after the modest success of the 2025 sequel Nobody 2.

The first two films follow Hutch Mansell, a seemingly ordinary family man with a violent past as a government assassin, who finds himself pulled back into the dangerous world he left behind. The franchise was created by John Wick writer Derek Kolstad and has been produced by Odenkirk alongside others.

Reflecting on the status of the franchise, Odenkirk revealed that he has ideas for two more sequels but remains uncertain if he will actually get to make them. He is currently awaiting a response from Universal Pictures, the studio behind the films. "I don’t know that I’ll get to do it," he admitted, though he also expressed his willingness to align with the studio’s desires, saying he will "do what they want" if another installment is greenlit.

Odenkirk also teased the creative direction he might take for Nobody 3. He suggested the next movie could explore a much darker tone, perhaps becoming "the darkest, violent film you’ve ever seen or thought." He contrasted this with the approach taken in Nobody 2, directed by Timo Tjahjanto, which he described as leaning towards a Jackie Chan-style action vibe, including lighter moments like the duck boat fight sequence. Despite this, he acknowledged the risk of alienating the existing audience who appreciate the broader appeal of the franchise.

Nobody 2 featured the return of several notable actors, including Connie Nielsen, Christopher Lloyd, and RZA. While it did not reach the sleeper hit status of the original film, it still earned a respectable 76% "Certified Fresh" score on Rotten Tomatoes, compared to the original’s 83%. However, the sequel’s box office performance was more modest, grossing just over $43 million worldwide against its $27 million production budget. This figure represents a drop from the first film’s $57.5 million total and, when factoring in marketing and distribution costs, places Nobody 2 below the break-even point and behind its predecessor’s profitability.

Despite these financial challenges, the franchise has cumulatively earned over $100 million, keeping the door open for future installments. Universal Pictures appears interested in maintaining its relationship with 87North Productions, the company behind the films, which has delivered multiple projects over the past four years, including the Violent Night series and the in-development Gears of War adaptation. This ongoing partnership could bode well for the continuation of Nobody.

The ending of Nobody 2 also sets up potential storylines for a third film. One unresolved thread involves Hutch’s debt to Colin Salmon’s character, the Barber, following events tied to Russian criminal money. Although the Barber temporarily severed ties with Hutch due to the latter’s conflict with Sharon Stone’s character Lendina, this debt remains significant and could compel Hutch to return to action.

Another avenue for expansion in Nobody 3 could involve deeper exploration of the relationship between Hutch and Becca, played by Nielsen. The 2025 sequel revealed that they met under violent circumstances and highlighted Becca’s own proficiency with weapons. A future film could further develop her character’s role, perhaps showing her transitioning into active participation alongside Hutch on dangerous missions.

While nothing is officially confirmed yet, Odenkirk’s remarks about taking the third installment in a darker direction represent a shift from his earlier enthusiasm for continuing the franchise’s family-oriented dynamic. The second film portrayed Hutch struggling to separate his violent tendencies from his home life, and the next chapter might see these conflicts intensify to a much darker degree, impacting the Mansell family more profoundly.

In summary, Bob Odenkirk remains hopeful but uncertain about the future of the Nobody series. The franchise’s moderate success has laid a foundation, but the fate of Nobody 3 depends on decisions yet to be made by Universal Pictures. Fans can anticipate either a continuation of the established tone or a bold, darker shift in storytelling should the next chapter come to fruition.