Summary
Norman Reedus' latest update onThe Boondocks Saints 3sets my mind at ease about the sequel. BeforeThe Walking Deadmade him a huge TV star, I was always a fan of Norman Reedus. He was the type of character actor who would pop up in movies likeBlade 2orGossipand basically steal every scene.The Walking Deadonlyconfirmed his star power, as his character Daryl evolved from a supporting guest character to becoming one of the franchise’s main players.
Of course,The Boondock Saintsduology was Reedus' biggest claim to fame beforeThe Walking Dead.Like many fans of the original, I was a little too young to watchThe Boondock Saintswhen it arrived in 1999. The movie followed Reedus' Murphy and Sean Patrick Flanery’s Conor, two vigilante Catholic brothers who wage a bloody war against crime in Boston while being pursued byWillem Dafoe’s FBI agent Smecker. The film’s quippy, Tarantino-esque dialogue and John Woo-inspired action made it a cult favorite, even though it was critically reviled at the time.
Boondock Saints 3 Has Brand New Appeal After The Success Of This $1 Billion Vigilante Franchise
With the growing success of action thrillers, the upcoming The Boondock Saints 3 has an even greater chance at success than it might have in the past.
Boondock Saints 3 Will Start With Conor & Murphy McManus' Prison Break
The third Boondock Saints will actually resolve the second movie’s cliffhanger
A sequel dubbedThe Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Dayarrived a decade later, but plans for a third outing soon into development hell. While I was intensely mixed on the second film,The Boondock Saint 2ended on a cliffhangerthat saw Conor and Murphy waiting to get broken out of prisonby their buddy Smecker. The final scene ofAll Saint’s Daymade it appear the brothers wouldn’t be waiting long either, butReedus has confirmed toScreen Ranthis prison break will be part ofThe Boondock Saints 3.
There’s sort of a rough outline of a script. The opening sequence, I think they’re keeping from that rough outline because it’s crazy. It’s crazy. It’s basically the boys breaking out of prison. That’s how it starts.
While it might have been tempting for the creative team to skip ahead to the MacManus boys years after their escape,I’m gratefulthe upcomingBoondock Saints 3will actually pay off this cliffhanger properly.The ending was honestly the best part ofAll Saint’s Day, partly thanks to Dafoe’s unexpected cameo and how it set up another story. It’s also a logical jumping-off point for the new film to pick up from.
Why It Took 15 Years For Boondock Saints 3
It appeared the Boondock Saints 2’s cliffhanger would never get resolved
The Boondock Saints 3is described as a fresh take on the concept, even though Reedus and Flanery are returning. Plot details are being kept vague, though one reason I’m excited about another entry is that a new creative team is having a crack at it, sincefranchise creator Troy Duffy has decided to step away as director. Duffy himself spent many years developing his take onThe Boondock Saints 3, both as a movie and a potential television series.
In 2014, Reedus himself claimed (viaIGN) thatThe Boondock Saints 3wasn’t happening. This came as a surprise to many, since his star has risen considerably thanks toThe Walking Deadfranchise, and it seemed a shame not to wrap up the series. At a certain point, I began to tune out any updates about the third chapter, which often involved the director or stars confirming it was back on, only for it to inevitably stall again.
While he won’t helm the next movie, creator Troy Duffy is currently working on a series ofBoondock Saintsnovels.
Thunder Road Films - the production company behind theJohn Wicksaga - have taken overThe Boondock Saints 3. This gives me hope that the next installment will recapture what made the first film so enjoyable, and will give the property the jolt it needs after the lacklusterAll Saint’s Day.
Will Boondock Saints 3 Be Worth The Wait?
Will audiences embrace the MacManus brothers once again?
I’m gladThe Boondock Saints 3won’t be a total reboot, because Reedus and Flanery are key parts of what made the series so popular.
I can’t be the only fan of the original to wonder ifThe Boondock Saints 3can live up to the hype. The first movie is very much a product of its time and a divisive one at that. The second outing struggled badly to recapture the zany energy and over-the-top style ofThe Boondock Saintstoo, so the upcoming “reimagining” will need to work hard to lure back audiences - me included. That said,the franchise has always had a loyal cult that following has spent over a decade waiting for a new chapter.
IfThe Boondock Saints 3can tap into what made the first film so popular while adding something fresh, it just might work. Personally, I’m glad the sequel won’t be a total reboot, because Reedus and Flanery are key parts of what made the series so popular. It was their chemistry that made the MacManus bros appealing antiheroes, and it was difficult for me to imagine other actors stepping into their shoes. Plus, it’s great thatAll Saint’s Day’sprison break tease will finally, FINALLY get paid off.
The Boondock Saints 3
Cast
The Boondock Saints 3 is the third film in the crime thriller franchise starring Norman Reedus and Sean Patrick Flanery. The film is said to be a reimagining for the franchise, with the original director Troy Duffy not returning.
