The zenith of action movie franchises is when they become so successful that they manage to launch a successful spinoff franchise of two characters who weren’t even a part of the initial launch of the story. This is the case with Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw, who earned a Hobbs and Shaw film for Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham.
This came after a series of fun turns in the main Fast and Furious franchise. And even though a Letty spinoff is on the way, this isn’t the only franchise that deserves a spinoff franchise for two stellar characters. From classic heist films to mega-blockbusters, there’s room to mine a number of lovely, fan favorite IP headlines.
Tower Heist: Enrique And Charlie
In Tower Heist, Enrique was portrayed by Michael Pena and Charlie was played by Casey Affleck. Together, they brought much of the comic relief to a criminally underrated heist movie from 2011.
While the arcs of the characters played by Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy were resolved in the film, there’s plenty more story to pursue with these two. Not to mention, between Ant-Man and the Ocean’s franchise, they’re heist veterans.
Jason Bourne: Lee And Byer
Lee is the character played by Alicia Vikander in Jason Bourne and Byer is Edward Norton’s director from The Bourne Legacy. While the latter is more questionable to return than the former, anything can be achieved with Bourne‘s surveillance tech.
Norton was absolutely electric in his heat check performance and Vikander undoubtedly needs to be in more movies. A spinoff of a killer action franchise is the perfect way to utilize both of them well.
Jurassic World: Vivian And Lowery
In Jurassic World, Vivian and Lowery (the Lauren Lapkus and Jake Johnson characters) were a profoundly engaging sub-plot of the film. One must wonder what sort of dinosaur-esque experiences they endured off-screen.
While their spinoff dynamic won’t be a romantic one, there are so many avenues they can explore instead. Platonic friends, matchmakers, dinosaur conspiracy theorists, and more. Their spin-off franchise wouldn’t even need to be necessarily action-packed!
National Treasure: Riley And The President
Bruce Greenwood’s president in the National Treasure sequel acts not like most presidents in the history of the cinematic world. He’s cunning and wry and all too comfortable with national security being threatened at any moment.
Therefore, throwing him into a full-on mix with Justin Bartha’s Riley character would only result in delightful hijinks. Plus, who could ever say no to more installments of National Treasure?
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse: Spider-Man Noir And Spider-Ham
This has to be one of the most obvious inclusions. In Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, a number of alternate versions of Spider-Man are featured through the use of animated multiverse technology.
On the one hand, there’s Nicolas Cage’s Spider-Man Noir and on the other, there’s John Mulaney’s Spider-Ham. The concept of a buddy film with Cage and Mulaney is a thrilling enough idea on its own. But them teaming up for a superhero spinoff? That could become the most enjoyable film of all-time.
Pirates Of The Caribbean: Will And Elizabeth
Over the course of the Pirates of the Caribbean films in the Disney theme park universe, Jack Sparrow has become increasingly flanderized. It’s clear that there’s no path forward for the action-adventure franchise if they are chained to that character.
Therefore, Will and Elizabeth deserve a film that is focused entirely on them. Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley have such remarkable chemistry together that a spinoff between the two of them would almost be a mistake to ignore.
John Wick: Tick Tock Man And Ernest
Things didn’t go so well for Ernest in the latest John Wick film, but the action never focused on him too much that the screenwriters couldn’t find a way to bring him back. And what better way to do so than by pairing him with the Tick Tock Man?
Admittedly, this is mostly just because Boban Marjanovic and Jason Mantzoukas would make for one of the most unexpectedly delightful duos in movie history. However, it would also show a different side to the action in John Wick.
Ocean’s Eight: Amita And Constance
There’s no denying that Anne Hathaway stole the show in Ocean’s Eight. However, the supporting cast deserves way more screen time. And they could earn it in a spinoff of a movie that was already a spinoff.
Mindy Kaling’s Amita and Awkwafina’s Constance received just a smattering of scenes in the action caper. But with a spinoff franchise geared solely towards them, it could be the “Ocean’s Two” fans have always wanted.
Thor: Korg And Miek
This has to be one of the easiest ones. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier are getting their own Disney Plus series, so why can’t Korg and Miek get their own spinoff from Thor: Ragnarok?
One might say that comic relief cannot justify its own spinoff, but Hobbs and Shaw managed to make a whole movie out of jokes, apparently. So, an exploration into what makes Korg Korg is a no-brainer. Plus, the world always needs more Taika Waititi.
Mission: Impossible: Ilsa And Benji
Lastly, this potential spin-off of the Mission: Impossible movies would be very similar to Hobbs and Shaw. Ilsa and Benji aren’t a natural pairing, but they’re both so riveting (even if the franchise is mostly concerned with keeping Tom Cruise alive) that it just makes sense.
Plus, Hobbs and Shaw were never the most obvious combo for a spinoff. But Statham and Johnson are such engaging performers on their own that it makes sense that Rebecca Ferguson and Simon Pegg could increase this tenfold. It’s just like peanut butter and jelly in the action genre.
