Underrated Hugh Jackman Sci-Fi Movie Sequel Gets Hopeful Response From Director 13 Years Later

Real Steel 2 is still very much a possibility for Shawn Levy and Hugh Jackman. The original 2011 sci-fi sports movie was loosely based on the Richard Matheson short story “Steel” and revolved around a former boxer who looks to connect with his estranged son by building and training a robot boxer together. Also starring future Marvel Cinematic Universe vets Anthony Mackie and Evangeline Lilly, the movie garnered mixed-to-positive reviews from critics and was a modest box office success, grossing just shy of $300 million against its $110 million production budget.

While attending CinemaCon to present new Deadpool & Wolverine footage, Screen Rant interviewed Shawn Levy. When asked whether he and Jackman ever discuss Real Steel 2 coming to be, especially after working on Ryan Reynolds’ MCU threequel, the director confirmed that he and the star continue to talk about it, citing one main reason as to why hopes for a sequel remain alive for them. Check out what Levy shared below:

We always talk about Real Steel 2. Because the world won’t let us forget, and I’m glad for that.

Real Steel 2 Is Closer Than Ever To Happening

Despite well over a decade having passed since the first movie came out, the chances of Real Steel 2 getting made aren’t entirely impossible. In the years since its release, the original has garnered a steady cult following thanks to its effective underdog story, fresh twist on the sports drama genre and charming lead turn from Jackman. With Disney similarly banking off of cult followings for such projects as Disney+’s Willow sequel show and the upcoming Tron: Ares, they could very well be keen to capitalize with a sequel to the movie.

The studio is already taking steps to do so with a Real Steel show entering development for Disney+ in early 2022. Word has largely fallen silent on the project in the years since, with the last update coming from Levy, who’s onboard as a producer, in February 2022 that indicated they were still looking for a showrunner, let alone put together a writers room. Considering 2023 was hit by the sweeping SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America strikes, it seems likely the development was delayed by such, particularly since Levy was busy that year working on Deadpool & Wolverine.

Should the MCU threequel prove to be a hit in the same vein as 2021’s Free Guy, it would go a long way to establishing Levy having some sway with Disney in getting Real Steel 2 made. Furthermore, the original movie’s recent success on Netflix and Mackie’s own consistent push for the sequel to get off the ground could very well help even further. Levy’s own previous hopes to team Reynolds and Jackman for the movie might be even more enticing for the studio to try and capitalize off Deadpool & Wolverine.