Six years after the release of the action thriller Den of Thieves, the long-awaited trailer for its sequel, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, has finally arrived. Directed by Christian Gudegast, the original film starred Gerard Butler as “Big Nick” O’Brien, the hard-edged leader of an elite LA County Sheriff’s Department unit on a mission to capture a gang of highly skilled bank robbers. Now, Gudegast reunites with Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr. for Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, which is slated for release on January 10, 2025.
The new trailer teases major changes from the first film, with Big Nick now finding himself on the wrong side of the law. After losing his job and disillusioned by his past, Nick teams up with Donnie Wilson (O’Shea Jackson Jr.), the very mastermind he previously hunted, as they plan a high-stakes heist at the World Diamond Center. Packed with car chases, shootouts, and intense confrontations, Pantera promises to be another action-filled thrill ride.
Watch the trailer below.
This shift in Nick’s allegiance will mark a significant departure from the original’s structure. While Den of Thieves followed a classic cops-versus-robbers narrative reminiscent of Heat (1995), Pantera will focus more heavily on the criminal underworld, with Nick and Donnie now on the same team. A new antagonist, played by Cristian Solimeno, is also set to complicate their plans as they prepare for the diamond heist.
Alongside Butler and Jackson Jr., Den of Thieves 2 features performances from Swen Temmel, Evin Ahmad, Yasen Zates Atour, Salvatore Esposito, and Orli Shuka, all playing key roles in the heist. The film will spotlight a new criminal crew, led by Donnie with Nick as their unlikely ally. Fans can expect high-stakes action, including intense gunfights and pulse-pounding car chases, as seen in the trailer.
Those familiar with the original Den of Thieves will remember its surprising twist, where Donnie is revealed to be the true mastermind behind the Federal Reserve heist, despite his unassuming role in Merrimen’s crew. Speculation is already building that Pantera could deliver another major twist. While the trailer suggests Nick has genuinely switched sides, some believe this could be a ruse, with Nick still working undercover to bring down Donnie and his crew from within.
The first Den of Thieves was a surprise hit, earning over $80 million at the box office on a budget of around $30 million. Its tense action sequences, complex characters, and unpredictable plot twists captivated audiences, paving the way for a potential franchise. Director Gudegast has already hinted at the possibility of a third installment, stating, “The idea is to constantly have movement with the franchise… We’re going to go to another world.”