Parker should be Jason Statham’s own James Bond-like franchise, as shown by the enormous popularity of the 2013 movie on Netflix. When the action thriller first came out, both reviewers and the general public had varied opinions about it. This was probably because the plot and main antihero didn’t take any major chances. However, Parker’s popularity on streaming services years later suggests that a sequel should be produced and might perhaps spark a movie series. Thankfully, there is a wealth of content available for adaptation.
Parker, which is based on Donald E. Westlake’s 2000 book Flashfire, is about a skilled tҺief who, after a heist gone wrong, pursues retribution. Viewers may be reminded of hitman Jef Costello (Alain Delon) from the 1967 crime classic Le Samouraï by the character’s austere manner, while Parker’s morally upright code of conduct is thematically similar to Omar Little from The Wire. In the 2013 version, Jennifer Lopez plays the accomplice of the titular character, Leslie Cienfuegos Rodgers, in a supporting role. However, the film mostly concentrates on Parker’s fundamental qualities and his capacity to adopt many personas, such as that of a wealthy rancher or a priest. Parker’s plot may seem a little bare at times, but that’s likely because screenwriter John J. McLaughlin thought a sequel would allow for more character growth.
Under the pen nаme Richard Stark, Westlake penned 24 Parker books between 1962 and 2008. Published in 1962, The Hunter served as the original franchise starter. It was eventually turned into two films: Point Blank (1967), starring Lee Marvin, and Payback (1999), starring Mel Gibson. Since Parker is really based on the 19th book, Flashfire, a Statham-starring sequel wouldn’t have to adhere to the books’ chronological order. The 1968 book The Rare Coin Score introduced Claire, Parker’s love interest, therefore it may be a good place to start for a prospective Parker 2. The girlfriend of the main character in the 2013 film is portrayed by Australian model Emma Booth, but she primarily serves as a supporting figure who helps to explain why he doesn’t pursue a romantic relationship with real estate agent Leslie.
Like Daniel Craig’s James Bond, 53-year-old Statham could easily play the lead role in a fifteen-year-long franchise. Parker does a great job of capturing the timeless quality of the tҺief and successfully presenting him as a psychopath on the verge of psychosis whose moral compass maintains order amidst the mayhem. Given the new direction the Bond franchise is taking, a Parker series might be a good fit for Statham, who hasn’t been asked to play 007 yet, according to a 2018 report (via Esquire). With the proper screenwriter, there’s a ton of potential for a follow-up to Parker, as critics were largely impressed with Statham and Lopez’s performances, based on the reviews collected thus far.
Parker is a very violent person, thus a screenwriter like Taylor Sheridan (Wind River) would be a great choice to create a follow-up. The on-screen chemistry between Statham and Lopez is obviously enjoyed by Netflix viewers, thus their continued collaboration may serve as the foundation for Parker 2. The majority of the original 2013 Parker takes place in Florida, which facilitates a compact story but also lessens the tension. Parker robs an island casino, an Air Force installation, a football stadium, and even a village in the book. If the creators decide to reunite Statham and Lopez or develop the story, Parker 2 may end up becoming a major Netflix Original in the future.