While the critical reaction to last year’s **Need For Speed **might have made it seem as though any sequel idea would end up rusting in a disused garage, game producers Electronic Arts took a look at the $203 million worldwide box office and decided to try to gear up a sequel. The company is has several Chinese companies looking to help get a new movie made.
According to Variety, the plan for this one is to play up those business connections and shoot much of the movie in China, with local actors taking big roles. There’s no word yet on whether any of the cast from last year’s first film – which included Aaron Paul, Imogen Poots and Michael Keaton – will return. And a bigger roadblock is locking down the rights to make the thing at all, since DreamWorks currently holds the option. But EA will almost certainly figure out some sort of deal, especially since the company aims to release more games based in the series.
“We are excited to work with EA, one of the world’s most recognized creative companies,” said Yin Cao, chairman of China Movie Channel. “We are also delighted that much of Need For Speed 2 would be filmed in China, and we believe it will include much more Chinese talent and elements.” Assuming everything works out and filmmakers are hired in time, EA wants this one shooting later in the year.