If The Polar Express 2 does happen, there are multiple stories the sequel to the 2004 Christmas movie could tackle. Based on The Polar Express book by Chris Van Allsburg, the 2004 animated film directed by Robert Zemeckis brought the story of Hero Boy to the big screen with the help of a then-groundbreaking motion capture technique. Now, almost 20 years later, The Polar Express 2 is in development, with producer Gary Goetzman saying the project “is trying to be worked out.”
Whether Tom Hanks would return for The Polar Express 2 remains to be seen, but it is difficult to imagine a sequel without him. That said, The Polar Express 2’s story does not have to limit itself to the events of the first film, especially because there is not a sequel to the book for it to follow. From a grown-up Hero Boy to brand new characters, the possibilities are endless.
10 Polar Express 2 Can Be A Direct Sequel To Hero Boy’s Story
This would be set right after the first film
A simple prediction for The Polar Express 2 is that it would take place not too long after the events of the first movie, perhaps following a teenage version of Hero Boy. Granted, this would create a small inconsistency considering that the older version of Hero Boy, who narrates the first film, never mentions any second adventure he experienced after that night. Still, if The Polar Express 2 wants to recapture the tone and the visuals of the first installment, setting the sequel just a couple of years later could work.
9 Polar Express 2 Can Be About Hero Boy As An Adult
It has been 20 years since The Polar Express
A direct sequel to The Polar Express might work, but a much better idea would be to revisit Hero Boy as an adult. Considering that the first film is told from the perspective of an already grown-up Hero Boy remembering the most magical night of his life, meeting this version of the character in a sequel would be incredible. Additionally, Tom Hank’s range as an actor and experience in voice roles mean he could easily play Hero Boy in his 20s or 30s. Finally getting to meet the “Hero Adult” would make The Polar Express 2 very exciting.
8 Polar Express 2 Can Follow A Completely Different Set Of Characters
The sequel could have nothing to do with Hero Boy and his friends
Even though revisiting Hero Boy, especially as an adult, would be great, The Polar Express 2 could also go for a completely new set of characters. Part of what makes the movie so great is how Hero Boy becomes friends with several other characters he meets on the train, each of whom has their own story and reason to be there. Going back to Hero Girl or Billy the Lonely Boy would help the sequel in terms of adding a nostalgia element to it, but focusing on new characters could make it fresh and unique.
7 Polar Express 2 Can Be About Hero Boy’s Sister
Hero Boy’s sister eventually stopped hearing the bell
Hero Boy had a younger sister in The Polar Express, who, like him, could hear the bell. However, The Polar Express’ ending reveals that even his younger sister eventually stopped believing in Santa and could no longer hear the bell. This would be an interesting story to tell – the journey of someone who believed in magic until they had to grow up. The sequel could be about Hero Boy, who never stopped hearing the bell, helping his sister regain some of that childlike spirit that might have been lost amidst adult life’s challenges.
6 Polar Express 2 Can Center On Hero Girl
Not much is revealed about her in the first film
If The Polar Express 2 wants to focus on established characters from the first movie without making Hero Boy the protagonist again, it could center on Hero Girl instead. She was the co-lead in the first film, but not much is known about her life and what happened to her after that Christmas Eve. The animated movie sequel could either follow Hero Girl a couple of years after the original movie or revisit her as an adult. Hero Boy and the others could still be part of the story, but it would now be told from Hero Girl’s perspective.
5 Polar Express 2 Can Be A Prequel About The Train’s Origins
What is the Polar Express after all?
The Polar Express is the type of story where there should not be an answer to every question. Therefore, revealing the origins of the Polar Express, as well as what exactly the magic train was, may sound unnecessary at first. However, a prequel about the Polar Express that does not explain how it train works but simply tells a story about its first journey could make for an incredible film. It could be set in any year or location, and characters like the Hobo and the Conductor would easily fit into the story.
4 Polar Express 2 Can Take Place Entirely On The North Pole
Was The Polar Express’ Santa real?
Whether The Polar Express’ Santa Claus is real or just a physical manifestation of a child’s sense of wonder is open for debate. Regardless, The Polar Express 2 could tell a story set entirely on the North Pole, either focused on Santa and his team or original characters. Rather than a journey to get to the North Pole, the sequel could be about children or even adults who are already there during Christmas. Santa does not even need to be a main character and could work as just a presence, similar to the first movie.
3 Polar Express 2 Can Be About The Hobo
What happened to the Hobo?
The Hobo is arguably The Polar Express’ most intriguing character. Although a deleted scene Polar Express scene suggested that the Hobo is the spirit of someone who died on the train after hitting the Flap Top Tunnel, this might not be entirely true. The engineers may have been just trying to scare Hero Boy, after all. Either way, a story of how the Hobo first boarded the train and what happened to him afterward sounds quite promising. Still, keeping the character’s origins a mystery may be better, although the Hobo could easily be part of a sequel.
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2 Polar Express 2 Could Be The Conductor’s Origin Story
There are many theories about the Conductor’s identity
Tom Hanks played multiple characters in The Polar Express, but he is perhaps most commonly associated with the Conductor. There are dozens of theories about who – or what – the Conductor is, from a future version of Hero Boy to Santa Claus himself. Even though it may be better to keep the Conductor’s origins a mystery, it cannot be denied that he is a very fascinating character who could sustain his own movie. Even if the Conductor is more of a spirit or symbol than a character, it could still work.
1 Polar Express 2 Could Be About Hero Boys’ Children
Would they believe in it too?
A great way for The Polar Express 2 to revisit Hero Boy would be to focus on his children. If Hero Boy ever became a parent, the sequel could be about how his kids would perceive the Holidays and the magic of Santa Claus. It would be even more interesting if Hero Boy eventually stopped hearing the bell too, with the sequel being about his children helping him believe in the magic of Christmas again.
The Polar Express
- Release Date
- November 10, 2004
- Director
- Robert Zemeckis
- Cast
- Tom Hanks , Daryl Sabara , Nona Gaye , Jimmy Bennett , Eddie Deezen , Peter Scolari , Michael Jeter
- Runtime
- 100 Minutes
