Whereas most filmmakers have to wait until the success of the first film can be measured by box office figures and critical reactions before securing a sequel, Tyler Perry seems to have bypassed all that by negotiating a follow-up to Alex Cross before the original has even been released.
Alex Cross opens in the States tomorrow, but Deadline reports that Perry is already deep in negotiations with author James Patterson to procure the rights to second instalment, Double Cross .
At this stage it’s unclear whether Perry will exercise the option to write and direct the movie also, although that will probably be determined by just how well the first movie does.
In case you haven’t been keeping up, Alex Cross will see Perry play the titular copper charged with bringing Matthew Fox’s unhinged terrorist to justice after his latest victim turns out to be one of Cross’s relatives.
This news comes as something of a surprise in light of the fairly stinking reviews it has received Stateside, currently festering at 27% on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of writing.
Directed by Rob Cohen and co-starring Rachel Nichols, Jean Reno and John C McGinley, Alex Cross will open in the UK on 30 November 2012.
