Den of Thieves 2: Panther director Christian Gudegast explains how franchise star Gerard Butler shaped the story of the upcoming sequel. The next Den of Thieves The sequel takes place shortly after the events of the 2018 original, with Sheriff Big Nick (Butler) facing off against Donnie Wilson (O'Shea Jackson Jr.) as the former Marine prepares a heist on the World Diamond Center. This time, however, Nick forces Donnie to onboard him into the job so he can take down the new group of criminals from the inside. Just like the first installment, the sequel was written by Gudegast.
Talking to TelaRant about the film, Gudegast explained how he and Butler worked closely on developing Den of Thieves 2: Pantherthe story. The director explained how easy it was to write due to his familiarity with the actor and his character, indicating that it is “much more calibrated” to him because of the existing installment. He ended up calling him “wonderful process,” meaning how well the script did. Check out what Gudegast had to say below:
Collaboration is key to this franchise. He and I have a shorthand. We work very, very closely, and he's almost like an extension of me in that sense. I write scenes, send them to him, we kind of play with them, stand them up, go over the dialogue and find little bits of magic.
When you know which actor is going to play a certain role when you are writing it, it becomes much easier, rather than writing a specific script. [where] you have no idea who will end up playing the role. When you know who they are, the process completely changes. 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 will bring them to life. It's a super healthy and wonderful process.
What Gudegast's statement means for Butler's involvement behind Den Of Thieves 2
The main actor was crucial in reinforcing the story of his characters
Butler's experience in the previous film means that his role in the cast of Den of Thieves 2 it was already properly defined, long before the film went into production. Nick is clearly motivated by his mission to stop Donnie once and for all.although joining the latest assault is a huge risk. However, Gudegast clarifying the lead actor's involvement in the writing department shows how this was a necessary step in heightening tensions as the robbery unfolded.
With the end of Den of Thieves Being a perfect introduction to the new episode, the bigger role its star has behind the scenes likely helped shape where his character goes next. As Nick and Donnie's disagreement will be the central focus of what comes next, the interactions between them will serve as the basis for the rest of the story. This also means that different themes can be explored in the film through revenge.something that could make the main character even more dynamic, as he risks everything to take down his old enemy.
Our opinion on Butler's involvement in crafting the story of Den Of Thieves 2
The actor's perspective will help define the sequence
Since Butler's protagonist will have a very different role in the Den of Thieves 2the star's contribution may have been crucial in defining the next chapter of the ongoing story. Even though it is not clear what will happen during the robbery and whatever the consequences may be, How far Nick is willing to go indicates an even darker side to his character can come out later. With the lead actor taking on a major part of the story now, it looks like a stronger arc is in store for the sheriff.