Edge of Tomorrow 2: Speculation about a sequel starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt

Twelve years after the theatrical release of "Edge of Tomorrow," there is new speculation about a sequel. Hollywood insider Daniel Richtman says he has heard that "Edge of Tomorrow 2" is moving forward. What's more, according to Richtman, filming for the sci-fi sequel could begin as early as this coming fall. However, he hasn't provided any further details – not even whether the original leads, Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt, are back on board.

In any case, the report should be considered mere speculation at this point and taken with a grain of salt. What is certain, however, is that a sequel has been discussed for years – and the return of the two lead actors, Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt, has always been expected. Two years ago, for example, "Edge of Tomorrow" director Doug Liman confirmed to the film magazine Empire that he was still in talks with Tom Cruise about making a sequel. And as early as 2016, Liman already mentioned that a second installment was in the works. Speaking with the website Collider at the time, he declared that the story of "Edge of Tomorrow 2" was even better than that of the first film. He also revealed:

"It's a sequel that's a prequel."

Edge of Tomorrow: Tom Cruise is stuck in a time loop

Liman's seemingly paradoxical statement could have to do with the premise of the "Edge of Tomorrow" story. In the 2014 sci-fi action film, Major William Cage, played by Tom Cruise, is stuck in a time loop. He must defend himself against hostile aliens and dies – over and over again. In that sense, the simultaneity of sequel and prequel hinted at by Liman could suggest that the temporal structure in a sequel to "Edge of Tomorrow" might be even more paradoxical than in the original.

In any case, it will be a challenge to surpass the quality of the first film. When "Edge of Tomorrow" hit theaters twelve years ago, its financial success was limited. The film did gross $381 million at the global box office. However, the production budget was a hefty $178 million, meaning those in charge had certainly expected far higher revenues. The film was, however, well-received by critics – and in hindsight, "Edge of Tomorrow" is considered one of the best films in Tom Cruise's decades-long career.

Edge of Tomorrow 2: Not the only current film about time loops

The first installment of "Edge of Tomorrow" is based on the Japanese novel "All You Need Is Kill" by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. The screenplay was written by Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, and Christopher McQuarrie. Over the years, McQuarrie has collaborated with Tom Cruise on numerous other projects, such as writing the screenplay for the aviation blockbuster "Top Gun: Maverick" and as director of the latest "Mission: Impossible" films. In addition to Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt, the cast of "Edge of Tomorrow" also included Bill Paxton, Brendan Gleeson, Noah Taylor, Kick Gurry, Dragomir Mrsic, Charlotte Riley, Jonas Armstrong, Franz Drameh, Masayoshi Haneda, Tony Way, and Lara Pulver.

If "Edge of Tomorrow 2" also involves a time loop, the sequel would be in good company. Just recently, "Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die" was released – a sci-fi film in which the hero is also stuck in a time loop. In that film, Sam Rockwell plays a time traveler who must relive the same day 116 times while trying to prevent an apocalyptic future. And next year, another star-studded sci-fi film centered on a time loop is already on the way. In "Shiver," Keanu Reeves plays the beleaguered hero: as a smuggler, he finds himself stranded in the Caribbean Sea after a mission gone wrong. There, he has to contend with enemy mercenaries and sharks – over and over again.