10 Cloverfield Lane 2 remains a possibility, and one that makes a stronger case for a Cloverfield continuation than the upcoming Cloverfield 2. The original Cloverfield first hit theaters in 2008, utilizing an ingenious viral marketing campaign that successfully built an aura of mystery around the secretive project. The franchise has stuck by its secretive roots ever since, playing its cards close to the chest with every Cloverfield sequel by using fake production names, surprise releases, and non-traditional sequels to build the franchise’s off-kilter brand.
It is a surprise, therefore, that Cloverfield has broken from its usual confidentiality to confirm the development of a direct sequel to Cloverfield. While the franchise has seen two other installments since 2008, 10 Cloverfield Lane and The Cloverfield Paradox are better described as side-quels than traditional sequels, as they take place in the same universe as the original Cloverfield, but do not feature any returning characters or narratives. With its bleak ending, Cloverfield does not immediately lend itself to an obvious follow-up. However, the franchise could easily continue its story by picking up from 10 Cloverfield Lane‘s ending.
10 Cloverfield Lane’s Sequel Set Up Is More Obvious Than Cloverfield’s
When considering the possibility of Cloverfield and 10 Cloverfield Lane sequels, it is worth taking a closer look at how decisively each film sets up another chapter. In the case of 10 Cloverfield Lane, a sequel would not be too much of a stretch. In the film’s climax, Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) finally manages to escape Howard’s bunker. She discovers that, contrary to Howard’s claims, the air on the surface is breathable. However, her relief is cut short by an attack from an alien monster. After dispatching it, she gets in her car and decides to join the fight against the aliens, rather than head to a safe house.
This provides a dynamic ending that teases more action, and one that could easily roll into a sequel. Cloverfield’s ending is far darker in comparison. The film, which leans away from the typical action of a kaiju movie and more into horror territory, abides by genre conventions with a bleak ending that sees most of its main characters die. Hud (TJ Miller) is killed by the Cloverfield monster, and Rob (Michael Stahl-David) and Beth (Odette Yustman) are implicitly killed by the subsequent bombing. Cloverfield delivers a fairly definitive end for its characters, which explains why the franchise has thus far taken the side-quel route.
10 Cloverfield Lane 2 Can Continue The Story Better Than Cloverfield 2
The wider story of the Cloverfield universe is not limited to a single film. As the various side-quels prove, the true IP of Cloverfield is its dark, dystopian sci-fi world. The ideal franchise sequel is the one best suited to continuing this exploration. Cloverfield may have been a magnificent introduction to the franchise’s world, but the found-footage format and simple survival narrative deliberately offered a limited perspective on the dimension-altering disaster. As the franchise continues to explore Cloverfield’s mythology, it no longer needs these devices. Cloverfield‘s future needs an engaging central character and a narrative through-line that pushes deeper into the mysteries behind the monster invasion.
Cloverfield cannot offer an engaging returning protagonist. Not only do almost all of Cloverfield’s characters end up dead by the end of the movie, none of them were especially engaging to begin with. The narrative is event-driven, rather than character driven, meaning the group of survivors is largely intended to function as a placeholder for the audience. On the other hand, 10 Cloverfield Lane is an intimate, character-driven thriller. The film contains one of Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s best horror performances, and earns total audience investment in her character. As such, it is Winstead’s Michelle who is best set up to carry audiences into the next phase of the Cloverfield universe.
Will 10 Cloverfield Lane 2 Actually Happen?
10 Cloverfield Lane 2 may be the best choice for a Cloverfield follow-up, but that only matters if the hypothetical sequel stands a chance of ever getting made. Director Dan Trachtenberg has addressed 10 Cloverfield Lane 2 as a possibility. He and Winstead have both discussed potential sequel stories, but the timing would have to be right for both parties, as Trachtenberg and Winstead each have full cinematic plates. Officially, Cloverfield 2 will be the next entry in the Cloverfield universe. If that movie performs well, producers will certainly be open to further sequels. The possibility of 10 Cloverfield Lane 2 could, ironically, depend on the success of Cloverfield 2.
