Extraction, Netflix’s most popular film to date, is getting a sequel, with Chris Hemsworth reprising his role as Tyler Rake. Filming has officially wrapped, and it is currently in post-production. It should come as no surprise that a sequel is on the cards for the Netflix Original, as over 99 million households watched the film online. It outperformed Bird Box, Murder Mystery, and 6 Underground.
Extraction is a uniquely thrilling ride, even in the grand scope of Netflix success tales. The Russo brothers’ action-thriller was well-timed, as the 2020 worldwide lockdown left people searching for something to watch. It was immediately the most popular Netflix movie release of all time, topping the online platform’s year-end record. As a result, it seemed unlikely that Netflix would miss the chance to make a sequel. While the film’s critical response was mixed, as one might expect from a relatively straightforward shooter, the fact remains that Extraction’s ultra-stylish action scenes left people wanting more.
Viewers were quick to spot that the film’s ending potentially paved the way for a sequel. Tyler was supposed to die in the initial version of the screenplay, but this was altered to make the conclusion more ambiguous after test screenings. With a protagonist who works as a hired gun, the sequel might go in any direction and take place anywhere.
Let’s take a look at everything we know about Extraction 2 so far.
Extraction 2: The Plot
In May of last year, Deadline reported that producer Joe Russo had signed a deal to write the film’s sequel. Shooting took place in Prague, with director Sam Hargrave posting a photo on Instagram suggesting that Extraction 2 will take a more wintery approach after the first film’s Middle-Eastern setting.
The film’s official synopsis reads:
After surviving a massive battle in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Tyler Rake returns with serious wounds from the mission. He will be accompanied by his team, ready to take on the next mission. Tyler has been tasked with extracting the family, who is also at the mercy of a Georgian mobster. It appears that in order to protect them, Tyler has to penetrate one of the world’s most dangerous prisons. While the extraction is heating up and the gangster is being hunted down in Sydney, Rake and his squad has been hunting them down to exact revenge.
Extraction 2 was supposed to shoot in Australia. Netflix and producers Joe and Anthony Russo’s production company AGBO Productions notified the crew, who were in the midst of pre-production in New South Wales, that they’d be packing up and moving production to Prague, the Czech Republic’s capital. This shift in filming locations for Extraction 2 happened right after a confirmed COVID-19 case was identified among the team members. In reaction to the COVID-19 Delta variant, New South Wales, as well as Sydney and Melbourne, which are other important filming areas in the country, were put on lockdown until September 30th.
Nonetheless, Hemsworth wrapped up the project in late March, so the film doesn’t appear to have been significantly impacted as a result of the change in filming locations.
Hargrave told Collider about filming the sequel:
” So, [as far as] my personal involvement, I would like to be as involved as possible, but I also don’t want to be greedy. There’s a lot of other super talented filmmakers out there who would have very unique visions and would bring something new and fresh to the franchise that I would be excited to see as a fan. Hopefully, we get to do the second one with all the same team and really establish the franchise, if you will. But from there I would love to see, as a fan of cinema, other young directors who, again, can push the level of action.”
Extraction 2: The Cast
As mentioned, star Chris Hemsworth has stated that he will reprise his role as Tyler Rake. It has also been confirmed that actor Adam Bessa will be reprising his role as Yaz. Rayna Campbell, who earlier appeared in Extraction as a communications tech for Nik’s buddy, will play Ruthie. Tinatin Dalakishvili, a Georgian model and actress, has joined the ensemble as Ketevan. Patrick Newall, who previously starred in Extraction in an unknown mercenary role, will now play Seb. Dato Bakhtadze will also play Avtandil.
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Extraction 2: Release Date
We may have to wait several months for the Netflix release now that the film is in post-production. Netflix’s big-budget summer release is The Gray Man, which means Extraction 2 will face far less pressure to fill what was formerly a blockbuster-less season. We’re still waiting for Netflix to announce the release date, but Extraction 2 is expected to arrive in the second half of 2022, most likely in the fall.
