Den of Thieves 2: Pantera director Christian Gudegast explains how franchise star Gerard Butler shaped the story for the upcoming sequel. The upcoming Den of Thieves sequel takes place right after the events of the 2018 original, with Sheriff Big Nick (Butler) going up against Donnie Wilson (O’Shea Jackson Jr.) as the ex-marine prepares a heist of the World Diamond Center. This time, however, Nick forces Donnie to integrate him into the job, so he can take down the new group of criminals from the inside. Much like the first installment, the sequel is written by Gudegast.

Speaking with ScreenRant about the film, Gudegast explained how he and Butler worked closely in developing Den of Thieves 2: Pantera‘s story. The director explained how easy it was to write because of his familiarity with the actor and his character, indicating it’s “much more calibrated” to him because of the existing installment. He ended by calling it a “wonderful process,” signifying just how smoothly the screenplay went. Check out what Gudegast had to say below:

The collaboration is fundamental to this franchise. He and I have a shorthand. We work very, very closely together, and he’s almost like an extension of me in that sense. I write scenes, I send them to him, we kind of play with them, put them on their feet, go over the dialogue, and find little bits of magic.

When you know what actor’s going to play a certain role when you’re writing, it makes it so much easier, as opposed to writing a spec script [where] you have no idea who’s going to end up playing the role. When you know who they are, it completely changes the process. It becomes much more calibrated to them, and much more specific. It’s kind of liberating because you know exactly what you can and can’t do, and who they are. You understand the characters much better because you know who’s going to be bringing life into them. It’s a super healthy, wonderful process.

What Gudegast’s Statement Means For Butler’s Involvement Behind Den Of Thieves 2

The Lead Actor Was Crucial To Bolstering His Characters’ Story

Butler’s experience in the previous film means his role on the cast of Den of Thieves 2 was already properly defined, long before the movie went into production. Nick is clearly driven by his quest to stop Donnie once and for all, even though integrating himself into the latest heist is a huge risk. However, Gudegast clarifying the lead actor’s involvement in the writing department shows how this was a necessary step to increase tensions as the heist plays out.

With the ending of Den of Thieves being a perfect lead-in to the new installment, the larger role its star has behind-the-scenes likely helped define where his character is going to go next. Since Nick and Donnie’s bad blood will be a core focus of what comes next, their interactions with one another will serve as the basis for how the rest of the storyline plays out. It also means different themes could be explored in the movie through revenge, something that can make the lead character even more dynamic as he risks everything to take down his old foe.

Our Take On Butler’s Involvement In Crafting Den Of Thieves 2’s Story

The Actor’s Perspective Will Help Define The Sequel

Since Butler’s protagonist will have a very different role going into Den of Thieves 2, the star’s input may have been crucial to defining this next chapter in the now-ongoing story. Even though it’s unclear what will happen during the heist and whatever aftermath unfolds, the lengths Nick is willing to go indicates an even darker side of his character could be coming out in the sequel. With the lead actor’s take an important part of the story now, it seems a more fortified arc is in store for the Sheriff.

Sheriff “Big Nick” O’Brien tracks Donnie Wilson to Europe after his daring escape. As Donnie becomes deeply involved with diamond thieves and the Panther mafia, the stakes rise with a plan to rob the world’s largest diamond exchange. The film promises intense action and suspense across international borders.

Release Date

January 10, 2025

Cast

Gerard Butler
, O’Shea Jackson Jr.
, Meadow Williams
, Jordan Bridges
, Evin Ahmad
, Swen Temmel
, Bob Jennings
, Michael Bisping
, Salvatore Esposito
, Orli Shuka
, Cristian Solimeno
, Nazmiye Oral
, Yasen Zates Atour
, Dino Kelly
, Rico Verhoeven
, Velibor Topic
, Antonio Bustorff
, Yuri D. Brown
, Birol Tarkan Yıldız
, John West Jr
, Ciryl Gane
, Mark Grosy
, Ignacio Herráez
, Stéphane Coulon

Character(s)

Nicholas Big Nick O’Brien
, Donnie Wilson
, Holly
, Lobbin Bob
, Jovanna
, Milan
, Connor
, Slavko
, Dushko
, Chava
, Giuseppe Schillaci
, Moussa
, Mirinko
, Tamy
, Corrections Officer
, Eduardo
, Sargent Adams
, Doyle
, Concierge

Director

Christian Gudegast

Writers

Christian Gudegast

Studio(s)

Atmosphere Entertainment MM
, Diamond Film Productions
, G-BASE
, Entertainment One
, Tucker Tooley Entertainment

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