“I think there’s four films,” Odenkirk said. “Hey, look, you saw the second movie. You see what happens? The kids get four years older. We shot the first film four years ago. Same two kids play my kids in the movie. Paisley Cadorath, Gage Munroe, great actors. And I like the idea that we see everybody grow up and we see them go through different stages of life and a marriage, go through different stages too.”
Released in March 2021, the original Nobody achieved success even though it debuted at a time when theaters were in the very early stages of recovering after the pandemic. It grossed $57.5 million worldwide against a $16 million production budget. Coupled with a positive critical reception (84% Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes), Nobody was big enough to give Universal the confidence to move forward with a follow-up.
Using an action movie franchise to explore evolving family dynamics would be an entertaining approach. Based on the Nobody 2 marketing materials, it appears that part of Hutch’s arc in the film will revolve around him figuring out how to be a better father to his kids (he’s frequently absent due to his work obligations). Subsequent films can offer their own variation on that idea, giving each installment a solid emotional core. As Hutch’s children grow older, their feelings and needs will change, forcing Hutch to change alongside them if he’s to stay connected with his family. And if there are extended gaps between sequels, there’s less risk of retreading familiar territory. Like Odenkirk says, each movie can follow the characters at different points in their lives. Munroe is 26 years old; perhaps in Nobody 3, Hutch’s son Brady will be angling to join his father in the workforce.
