A Sylvester Stallone superhero movie is getting a sequel despite receiving negative reviews from critics, though it overperformed with audiences.
A Samaritan sequel is reportedly in the works despite receiving bad reviews from critics. Released on Prime Video in August 2022, the film follows a young boy, played by Euphoria’s Javon Walton, who suspects that Sylvester Stallone’s Joe Smith is secretly the titular superhero who was thought to have died many years ago. Other than Stallone and Walton, the Samaritan cast also includes Pilou Asbæk, Dascha Polanco, and Moisés Arias.
Now, over a year after its release, a sequel to Stallone’s superhero movie is in the works. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Amazon and MGM are developing a sequel to Samaritan with Stallone reprising his role, a deal that was made prior to the start of the SAG-AFTRA strike. Bragi F. Schut, who penned the first movie, will also return to write the sequel’s script.
Does Samaritan Really Deserve A Sequel?
Samaritan receiving a sequel is a surprising development considering the critical response to the superhero movie over a year ago, and how there hadn’t been any talk of a potential follow-up since then. Intended as a dark new take on the superhero genre, the Stallone-led film was a flop among critics who felt it did little to separate itself from the crowded cinematic landscape dominated by middling Marvel and DC movies. The substandard Samaritan reviews resulted in a 38 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Despite the bad reviews from critics, Samaritan was a hit with audiences. The superhero flick overperformed on Prime Video by ranking as the most-watched movie on the streaming service for three consecutive weeks, according to Amazon. Audiences also reported a drastically different viewing experience than critics, as they appreciated Stallone’s solid performance and Samaritan’s refreshingly dark twist on the standard superhero formula. This enthusiastic audience response, coupled with its strong performance on Prime Video, is more than enough reason for Samaritan to receive a sequel.