Extraction franchise in the works at Netflix, says Joe Russo

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Extraction was one of the bigger success stories of 2020 as it quickly became one of the most popular original films on Netflix. Looking to expand on that success, Joe Russo, who wrote the film and served as a producer with his brother Anthony, revealed to Collider that plan is not only to make sequels to the film but also to give the movie an expanded universe via spinoffs and team-up movies.

"I'm still not gonna commit because I think it's more exciting to surprise people, but I will say this: we are working at building out a universe of films that could potentially explore some of the other characters from the first movie and some new characters, and see more historical interaction between the characters. So if you're interested in David Harbour's character, you just may get to see him in a future Extraction movie."

Extraction is based on the graphic novel "Ciudad" by Ande Parks and follows Tyler Rake (Chris Hemsworth), a fearless black market mercenary that embarks on the most deadly extraction of his career when he's enlisted to rescue the kidnapped son of an imprisoned international crime lord. David Harbour also stars as Gaspar, a former teammate of Rake's whose history was hinted at in the first film. Russo goes on to say that he hopes that history is expanded upon in the follow-up movies and he has even bigger desires to take the Extraction universe into some unexpected directions:

"We're trying to find more interesting ways to tell these stories and cross-pollinate them. We're big fans of just forging new paths in narrative. Can we go backwards and forwards at the same time? Can things that happened in the past affect the movies in the present? What are new ways to tell those stories? And can we see different points of view? Every antagonist is the protagonist in their own story, so can we see their point of view? How do they perceive the world? What makes them empathetic? I think what makes that a compelling element to the Extraction universe is it is a global franchise telling global stories, and we'd like to diversify the point of view in those movies."

Back after the film became a hit on the streamer in April, Joe Russo quickly confirmed that a follow-up had been greenlit. The plan is to bring back director Sam Hargrave along with lead star Chris Hemsworth. There is also the issue of moving the story forward or backward, as in will it be a sequel or prequel. Fans of the film think the ending could allow both possibilities but one is more likely than the other. With this planned expanded universe, it looks like there are many avenues that can be possibly explored. Russo also gave an update on when the cameras may start rolling on Extraction 2 by saying "The intention is to start rolling cameras on Extraction 2 sometime next fall. Chris is a busy guy so we have to figure out his schedule, but that’s the intent at the moment.”

Are YOU interested in an Extraction expanded universe?