Thirty years after Crimson Tide first hit theaters, a sequel to the 1995 submarine thriller is officially in early development, with original producer Jerry Bruckheimer eyeing Denzel Washington to reprise his role.
Bruckheimer revealed the news on The Rich Eisen Show, teasing that “a really good director and writer” are currently in talks with the U.S. Navy. While no names were confirmed, Bruckheimer noted that Washington, who portrayed Lieutenant Commander Ronald “Ron” Hunter in the original, is open to returning — but only if the script meets his standards.
“If we give him a good script, I think he’d do it,” said Bruckheimer of the 70-year-old Oscar winner.
A source confirmed to Variety that Washington’s involvement is script-dependent, and the project is still in early development stages. No additional casting or release details have been shared, and Disney — which owns Touchstone Pictures, the original distributor — declined to comment.
Originally directed by the late Tony Scott, Crimson Tide centered on the intense standoff between Washington’s idealistic executive officer and the late Gene Hackman’s hardline Captain Ramsey aboard a U.S. nuclear submarine during a global crisis. The film earned critical praise, grossed over $157 million worldwide, and received three Oscar nominations.
The planned sequel follows the loss of several major creatives involved in the original. Hackman passed away in February at age 95. His death came just before the passing of screenwriter Robert Towne in 2024, and over a decade after director Tony Scott’s death in 2012. Bruckheimer reflected on the team that made the original a success, saying, “We had Quentin Tarantino and Robert Towne writing on that film… I don’t know if I’ll ever replicate that type of writing.”
With Washington as a potential anchor and a new creative team exploring “what’s going on under the water” in today’s geopolitical climate, the Crimson Tide sequel could follow in the footsteps of Top Gun: Maverick — another Bruckheimer-produced follow-up that found new life decades later.
If greenlit, Crimson Tide 2 would mark yet another legacy sequel for Bruckheimer, who is also working on Top Gun 3, a new Days of Thunder installment, and a range of high-stakes action projects.
As for who might go toe-to-toe with Washington in the next underwater conflict, that casting remains wide open — but expectations will no doubt be high.