Universal Readies ‘Johnny English’ For Another Mission

In a depressing sign of the times Universal Pictures, who are still nursing the wounds from a run of underperforming and expensive films for adult audiences including “Duplicity,” “State of Play,” Public Enemies,” “Funny People,” “Green Zone” and “Repo Men,” have decided to dust off Rowan Atkinson’s bumbling spy character “Johnny English” for another round of big screen action. The 2003 film, made at the height of Atkinson’s popularity that was largely based on his Mr. Bean character, was a failure in the United States but did very well internationally, bringing in $161 million on a budget of $40 million.

We can’t say that we’re terribly surprised that Universal is turning to whatever franchises they have in their stable that they can turn into sure fire box office success, but is the world really clamoring for another Johnny English movie? Atkinson hasn’t been seen on screen since 2007’s “Mr. Bean’s Holiday” and the entire comedic landscape has largely shifted. Universal, who are keeping the budget for the second film around the same as the first, are banking on international audiences coming back for more, but we doubt the $28 million domestic haul for the first film will be much improved upon this time around.

We guess we can’t really blame Universal here for trying to play it safe. The decision seems to make sense following their cancellation of the Josh Brolin thriller “Cartel” yesterday and their pass at the opportunity to make Paul Thomas Anderson’s Scientology thriller earlier in the year. Their only truly expensive and serious film this year is “Robin Hood” while the rest of their slate is filled with lower budgeted, more broadly appealing comic fare like “Your Highness” and “Get Him To The Greek.” And with the the studio already planning “Bridesmaids” (produced by Judd Apatow and starring Kristin Wiig and Maya Rudolph) and “The Change Up” (with Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman) for next year, it may be a while before dramas are given another shot.