The recently released action comedy Back in Action has already spawned talks of a potential sequel. Now, director Seth Gordon has come out to address how the movie’s ending could set up Back in Action 2. Containing twists at every other turn, Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx’s movie also features Kyle Chandler. Talking about the character, Gordon recently shed light on the creative reasoning behind choosing Chandler for the role, all the while hinting at how a follow-up edition could shape up.
Seth Gordon talks Back in Action’s Kyle Chandler twist and ending
In a recent discussion, the filmmaker revealed that he cast Kyle Chandler as the film’s antagonist to throw the audience off balance.
As Back in Action gallops towards its ending, viewers learn that it was Chandler’s Chuck who had betrayed Matt and Emily in a bid to obtain the key. Speaking to Radio Times, Seth Gordon has now explained the psyche behind this casting.
The director stated, “Kyle Chandler, I feel like what he’s best known for, probably, is Friday Night Lights, which is this, ‘Aw shucks’, good guy. So I don’t think you see him. You don’t often see him in comedies, but you definitely don’t often see him as the villain, so I thought [he was] perfect for that surprise.” Gordon then went on to praise Andrew Scott’s acting chops, calling him “the perfect choice for someone who would be sort of a red herring.”
Gordon reflects on Back in Action 2 plans
Seth Gordon further expanded upon the second twist in the ending of Back in Action, where Andrew Scott’s Baron informs the covert couple about Emily’s mysterious father. He reveals to her that the duo will have to embark on another mission with her father at the center of the chaos.
Explaining this addition, Gordon stated, “It felt like he [Baron] should be there, trying to draw them into some other case. And then the notion of ‘dad’ was born out of that.” He also teased plans for Back in Action 2, noting, “Oh yeah, [I’ve] got some ideas about what it would be about and who could play the part, but, you know..”
At the time of writing, the proposed Back in Action sequel has yet to receive confirmation or an official release date from its creators.
