Alex Cross, the new, rebooted take on James Patterson’s criminal profiler, is only just about to hit US cinemas this week (and ours on November 30), but a deal is already under way to have Tyler Perry reprise the role for a sequel based on Patterson’s Double Cross.
Though the reviews for the first film have been, to be charitable, poisonous, the budget was under $25 million and both Perry and Patterson bring built-in audiences. Rob Cohen directed Alex Cross, but there’s no word yet on whether he’d return for any follow-up.
Double Cross finds Dr Cross retired from law enforcement and practicing private psychology counselling. But his respite from dealing with evildoers is short-lived as two psychopaths decide to target him.
As with the current film, there’s every chance that elements will be re-mixed for the screenplay and extra plot points bolted on (Alex Cross, for example, features several characters not found in the book Cross).
Perry, of course, will be taking some time to get back to his usual writing/directing/producing starring career with Single Moms Club, but if Alex Cross overcomes the negative word of mouth and ends up bringing in solid returns, expect** Double Cross** sooner rather than later.