Mixed reviews and a lacklustre box office wasn’t enough to quell the impact thst Joel and Ethan Coen’s The Big Lebowski had on popular culture, and since its humble debut in ’98, both the neo-noir and Jeff Bridges’ inimitable stoner The Dude have always remained a topic of conversation, even if those fleeting reports suggesting a sequel never made it part the starting line.
While promoting their upcoming period dramedy Hail, Caesar!, both Joel and Ethan Coen confirmed that the song very much remains the same regarding a potential follow-up to The Big Lebowski – a categorical no. That’s despite actress Tara Reid dropping hints to the contrary, though the Coen Brothers poured cold water over the resurgent rumors in an interview with Variety. “Tara Reid likes to announce that just like [George] Clooney likes to announce ‘Hail, Caesar!,” Joel Coen said. “In this case, I don’t think we’ll oblige.”
On the topic, there’s also little chance of John Turturro’s Jesus offshoot getting off the ground anytime soon. Since starring opposite Bridges, Steve Buscemi and John Goodman in the original film, Turturro has shopped around ideas for the spinoff in the past, stating that”if I can get the permission I need, I’d like to return to that role. I have an idea, I want to do like a sequel where Jesus gets out of jail and drives a school bus.”
So long as Joel and Ethan Coen preside over the rights, there’s little chance of The Big Lebowski‘s fabled sequel coming to light. Whether that’s good news or bad is something we’ll leave to you.
Hail, Caesar! opens in theaters tomorrow, February 5.