Remember last Fall when Liam Neeson said that he didn’t see any way that a Taken 3 could happen, stating “I can’t see a possible scenario, that audiences wouldn’t go ‘Oh, come on. She’s taken again?'” Remember that? Well, it looks like all one needs is a fat wallet to change the actor’s mind as Deadline reports that Neeson has agreed to reprise his role as Bryan Mills for a cool $20 million.
Despite Neeson’s comment, we all knew Taken 3 was going to happen and now with Neeson locked in, and Robert Mark Kamen and Luc Besson writing the script, it will likely be here before we know it, unfortunately.
I get that Taken 2 made an impressive $376 million worldwide, and that from a financial standpoint it would be hard for the studio not to do another one. But still, really? Is this thing really happening? Taken 2 was horrid, one of the worst films I saw last year and I think that many people will share that sentiment. The film was absolutely terrible and I shudder at the thought of seeing another sequel.
Ok, am I being too harsh? Maybe just a bit. Admittedly, I really enjoyed the original Taken and I do love seeing Liam Neeson kick ass. He’s good at it and audiences have embraced him as an action hero. It’s just that Taken 2 left such a bitter taste in my mouth that I am now completely turned off of this series. Maybe Besson and Kamen will surprise us all though and deliver a worthy action flick. Just maybe. For now though, my hopes aren’t too high.
Production on Taken 3 will get underway in February. We’ll keep you posted as we get more news. What do you think of Neeson signing back on for $20 million? Has he completely sold out yet? Let us know in the comments below.