Mike Colter who starred as Louis Gaspare in ‘Plane’ will reprise his role to lead its upcoming sequel ‘Ship.’
The sequel will pick up from where the first movie left off with Gaspare disappearing into the jungles of Jolo Island. Despite managing to commandeer a fishing boat to escape the Philippines, the media attention surrounding Trailblazer Flight 119 has put Gaspare in the crosshairs of an international manhunt. To avoid detection, Gaspare hops aboard a cargo ship that’s headed for South Africa.
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However, he soon discovers that the vessel is being used as a ferry for a human trafficking ring. Driven by his moral code, Gaspare teams up with the ship’s second mate and a passenger with military experience to take down the ship’s corrupt captain, save its innocent passengers, and liberate its captives.
The film will be produced by MadRiver Pictures, Di Bonaventura Pictures, and G-BASE Productions, with original “Plane” director Jean-François Richet returning as an executive producer. While Gerard Butler will not star in the sequel, he may make a cameo appearance.
Although discussions with writers and directors for “Ship” are underway, production is expected to begin late this year, with international sales firm The Veterans already presenting the project to buyers at the European Film Market. Lionsgate will once again distribute the sequel in the US, and CAA Media Finance is representing the domestic rights.
The announcement of a sequel, particularly one without the original lead, is surprising given that “Plane” is still in theaters and has performed well, grossing over $43 million worldwide on a reported budget of $35 million.
The film has received decent reviews, and Lionsgate, which distributed “Plane,” will have the first option to distribute “Ship” domestically. The project will be discussed with buyers at the European Film Market in anticipation of a late 2023 shoot, and discussions with writers and directors are currently underway. Additional casting is also being sought for the film.