12 Movie Sequels That Were Canceled Mid-Production
These film follow-ups were hyped and even began filming — only to be abruptly scrapped before seeing the light of day.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Hollywood is filled with sequels that never make it past the planning stages, but some get far enough to shock fans when they’re canceled. Budget issues, creative disputes, and studio shakeups can all kill a movie in progress. Here are 12 sequels that had real momentum — until it all came crashing down.
1. Batman Unchained
Picography on Pexels
Following Batman & Robin, this darker sequel was ready to bring back Scarecrow and even Harley Quinn. Sets were designed and actors approached. However, poor reviews from its predecessor killed the project before cameras rolled.
2. World War Z 2
Joel Kowsky on Wikimedia Commosn
Brad Pitt was set to return, and David Fincher signed on to direct a more grounded, intense follow-up. Despite development and scheduling, Paramount pulled the plug in 2019. Budget concerns and creative hesitations stopped it cold.
3. Tron 3 (Tron: Ascension)
Jeremy Thompson on Wikimedia Commons
Fans of Tron: Legacy were excited for a return to the Grid, and production was gearing up. However, Disney quietly axed it just weeks before filming. A lack of faith in the brand’s box office draw sealed its fate.
4. The Amazing Spider-Man 3
Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons
Andrew Garfield’s version of Spidey was supposed to continue with sinister villains and deeper arcs. Scripts were drafted, plans were in motion, but Sony switched gears. The MCU deal with Marvel shelved the franchise entirely.
5. Superman Lives
Jon Tyson on Unsplash
This one became infamous — Nicolas Cage as Superman, Tim Burton directing, and wild concept art. Costumes were built, and pre-production was in full swing. Warner Bros. ultimately abandoned it due to script chaos and ballooning costs.
6. Hellboy 3 (Guillermo del Toro’s Version)
Janeth Charris on Pexels
Fans longed for a trilogy-closer to Ron Perlman’s Hellboy saga. The director had a full script and passion, but funding never came through.
7. Mad Max: Furiosa (Original Version)
Altan Dilan on Wikimedia Commons
Before the standalone film with Anya Taylor-Joy, an earlier take focused on Charlize Theron’s Furiosa was in early stages. Technological hurdles in de-aging Theron made the plan costly.
8. Alien 5 (Neill Blomkamp’s Version)
Elliott Brown on Flickr
This version promised to retcon Alien 3 and Resurrection, bringing back Ripley and Hicks. Concept art sparked fan excitement, but Ridley Scott’s Alien: Covenant took priority. Blomkamp’s version was shelved indefinitely.
9. Sherlock Holmes 3
Michael Connors on Wikimedia Commons
Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law were on board, and pre-production was underway multiple times. Shifting schedules and pandemic delays pushed it into development limbo. It quietly stalled with no updates in years.
10. Justice League: Part Two
Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons
Zack Snyder had a vision for a sprawling DC saga, with storyboards teasing an epic continuation. However, after box office disappointments and studio shakeups, the sequel was dropped.
11. The Divergent Series: Ascendant
LuchoCR on Wikimedia Commons
What began as a promising YA franchise fizzled after the poor reception to its third installment. The final chapter was downgraded to a TV movie and then dropped altogether. Cast members walked, ending the series mid-story.
12. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair
menj on Flickr
This sequel was set to reboot the franchise with a new director and fresh tone. Plans reached advanced stages, including casting talks. Netflix later acquired the rights, ending the film’s development.