Another Simple Favor breaks a streak for Paul Feig that’s been around for his entire directorial career, despite rumors to the contrary. Another Simple Favor is the sequel to the 2018 black comedy, A Simple Favor. Another Simple Favor reunites much of the cast for a new murder mystery, this time off the Italian coast. It’s a fun expansion of the original movie that embraces the campy twists and turns while raising the dangerous stakes.
The ending of Another Simple Favor even leaves the door open for another sequel, which could be a great chance to revisit the characters. It’s not even the only one of his films that would benefit from a sequel. It’s worth considering how Another Simple Favor being a sequel upends a long-standing trend of Paul Feig’s career, though, and what it might mean for the filmmaker going forward.
Another Simple Favor Is Surprisingly Paul Feig’s First Movie Sequel
Paul Feig Has Been Directing Films Since 2003 And Hasn’t Made A Sequel Since
Another Simple Favor is the first full sequel of Paul Feig’s career, but it shouldn’t be the last. After creating Freaks and Geeks and making his directorial debut a few years later with I Am David, Feig became a consistent presence on the big screen following the success of Bridesmaids. However, none of his projects have generated a sequel, despite many of them having storylines that could easily be expanded upon (and a few even entering development that never materialized as a formal follow-up). This is partly what makes Another Simple Favor being his first sequel all the more surprising.
A Simple Favor was based on the Darcey Bell novel of the same name. Although the book and the film end differently, both initially seemed closed off in satisfying ways that didn’t necessarily call for a sequel. However, Feig has been vocal about his enjoyment working with Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively, which seemed to motivate him to return to the characters. Coupled with the massive box office success of A Simple Favor, a prospective sequel seemed all the more tantalizing for Feig.
Why Paul Feig Has Never Made A Sequel Before Another Simple Favor
Bridesmaids And Ghostbusters Had Sequels Considered But Never Came Together
Paul Feig’s films often tell self-contained stories, with the characters going through specific arcs that are resolved by the end of the narrative. As a result, there’s rarely a need to return to the characters, even if they could go to further places. That seems to be a major part of why Feig hasn’t been interested in too many sequels. This is seemingly a key reason why Feig has resisted calls for a sequel to Freaks and Geeks, even after revealing the initial plans for season 2 if that had entered production.
During an interview with Collider, Paul Feig went into further detail about his general dislike of sequels and what made Another Simple Favor the exception to that rule.
There have been times Feig almost helmed a sequel, only for plans to fall through. Following the massive critical and commercial success of the film, rumors circulated that Universal was developing a sequel to Bridesmaids. However, busy schedules for everyone involved meant no momentum was picked up before the idea of a sequel was shot down by Kristen Wiig. Wiig reteamed with Melissa McCarthy and Paul Feig on the 2016 Ghostbusters, which set up potential sequels. However, the toxic reaction from some portions of the fanbase (as well as a lackluster box office) meant those plans were scuttled.
Paul Feig Should Make Follow-Ups To More Of His Movies After Another Simple Favor
I’ve Been Waiting A Decade For Spy 2
Another Simple Favor is a fun sequel that builds on all the winning elements of the first film and expands on them in exciting ways. It’s also not the only Paul Feig film that has sequel potential, even beyond a prospective A Simple Favor 3. One of Feig’s most entertaining films is Spy, a Melissa McCarthy-led riff on the espionage genre that manages to thread the balance between compelling subversion of the archetype and laugh-out-loud comedy.
Spy had the perfect open-ended climax to set up plenty of follow-ups, and it would be great to bring back Melissa McCarthy into a broad comedy following her more dramatic output in recent years. A more recent Paul Feig movie that could benefit from a sequel would be Jackpot!. Starring Awkwafina and John Cena, the film’s wacky action and societal commentary on a world where the lottery comes with lethal stakes set up a very fun world that could easily be revisited in sequels.
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Feig is a strong director, with a keen ear for witty banter and eye for big set-pieces. Another Simple Favor proved that Feig is great for sequels, capable of zeroing in on what worked in the previous films and expanding it in great ways that remain consistent and entertaining. Another Simple Favor proves Feig can have fun with a sequel, and there are plenty of his films he could revisit in that capacity.
Source: Collider