2008 Oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire looks like it may be getting a Slumdog Millionaire 2, thanks to a new rights deal. More here.
2008’s Slumdog Millionaire was the film that earned Danny Boyle his best director Oscar, the film that put Dev Patel on the map, and a film too that ended up with a Best Picture Academy Award. Produced by Celdaor and Film4, the movie picked up eight Oscars in all, but seemed a standalone feature. However, that might not be the case after all, thanks to a fresh deal struck for its sequel rights.
A production company by the name of Bridge7, involving producer Swati Shetty and a chap called Grant Kessman (who used to be an agent), has inked a deal with Celador to revisit Slumdog Millionaire. The deal gives it film and television rights, and the plan appears to be a fresh feature.
Certainly given the statement from Celador, things are pointing in that direction. It’s chair, Paul Smith, is quoted as saying “I am delighted that Swati and Grant have chosen the Slumdog sequel to launch their newly formed company. Celador looks forward to working with Bridge7, as the next chapter of Jamal’s journey of discovery unfolds on the screen.”
The mention of the character of Jamal suggests that it’s not out of the question that an offer goes out to Dev Patel to be involved again. Who knows? Given that he’s just stepped behind the camera for his feature directorial debut, Monkey Man, he might even be a candidate to step behind the camera. That’s assuming that original director Danny Boyle, just working on his new 28 Years Later trilogy, isn’t tempted.
Still, that’s a lot of speculation on my part there, as the deal announcement makes no mention of any personnel either in front or behind the camera. Just that the rights are secured, and a new production company isn’t likely to stump up the funds if it didn’t plan to do something with them.
More as we hear it…
