‘Peter Rabbit 2’ Greenlit By Sony
Sony Pictures has greenlit a sequel to this year’s Peter Rabbit, per Variety. Writer-director Will Gluck is returning to handle both duties on the sequel, and the original cast is also expected to return. Sony has dated Peter Rabbit 2 for February 7, 2020, in the U.S. and March 27, 2020, in the U.K.
Peter Rabbit is based on an original story and screenplay by Rob Lieber and Gluck, based on the stories of Peter Rabbit created by Beatrix Potter.
The story involves the titular bunny, voiced by James Corden, in a battle with the heir to Mr. McGregor’s garden, Thomas, played by Domhnall Gleeson.
The film’s voice cast includes Daisy Ridley as Cottontail Rabbit, Elizabeth Debicki as Mopsy Rabbit, Sia as Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, and Margot Robbie as Flopsy Rabbit and the narrator. Rose Byrne and Sam Neill are among the live-action cast.
The film proved to be an under-the-radar hit when it was released on February 9, as it has taken in $115 million in the U.S. and is Sony Pictures’ biggest ever non-James Bond film in the UK, with a $55.7 million total in that market after holding the top spot for four weeks in a row.
It took in an additional $210M overseas, reaching No. 1 in 22 territories, putting its worldwide gross at $325 million. Going after the same audience as Paddington, it has surpassed both Paddington movies at the box office.
Peter Rabbit 2 will have some competition on its domestic date: Paramount’s animated adaptation of The Loud House and “Untitled Warner Bros Event Film #3”.
Sony had slated an untitled animated movie from Phil Lord & Chris Miller on that date, but it has been moved ahead a month to January 10, 2020.
Peter Rabbit 2 hits U.S. theaters on February 7, 2020.