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Uncharted sequel: what's happening behind the scenes?
A few months after Tom Holland rode another box-office high with Spider-Man: No Way Home, he returned to the big screen as a younger Nathan Drake in Sony's Uncharted — a video-game adaptation that surprised many by turning into a solid commercial hit. The film, directed by Ruben Fleischer and inspired by Naughty Dog's beloved action-adventure franchise, follows Nate on a globe-trotting treasure hunt commissioned by Victor "Sully" Sullivan to recover Ferdinand Magellan's lost riches.
Despite that success — Uncharted grossed $407.1 million worldwide on a $120 million production budget — the follow-up's future feels oddly unsettled. Mark Wahlberg confirmed late in 2023 that a script for a second installment was being written, and Sony Pictures publicly expressed interest in developing a sequel. Yet concrete production updates have been scarce.
Director Ruben Fleischer's latest comments
In a recent interview with The Playlist, Fleischer admitted he isn't currently clued into the sequel's status. "To be honest, I don't know what stage the project is in. I wasn't super involved," he told the outlet. That candid admission has left fans and industry watchers wondering whether the next Uncharted will reunite the original creative team or take a new direction.
Why the uncertainty matters
Uncharted sits at the intersection of two hot industry trends: the continued push to adapt video games for cinematic audiences and studios' appetite for bankable franchises. Video game adaptations have historically been hit-or-miss — from the over-the-top camp of Tomb Raider to more recent attempts like Detective Pikachu and the more faithful approaches to The Last of Us on TV — but Uncharted's solid box office result shows there's a viable path when casting, action choreography, and respect for source material align.
Still, the sequel's delay could reflect several factors: scheduling conflicts for stars like Tom Holland, creative differences over tone and scope (should it lean more toward globe-trotting spectacle or character-driven origin story?), or strategic timing by Sony to maximize franchise potential alongside other tentpoles.
Comparisons are inevitable. Ruben Fleischer's earlier work on Zombieland and 2018's Venom demonstrates he's comfortable blending action with humor — a tonal fit for Uncharted's cheeky adventure vibe. If a sequel follows that same DNA, audiences might expect bigger set pieces and more elaborate stunts, perhaps echoing the globe-spanning thrills of Indiana Jones or the slick heist beats of National Treasure.
Fans on social media praised the first film's chemistry between Holland and Wahlberg, the throwback treasure-hunt energy, and the well-staged chase sequences. Behind the scenes, sequence rehearsals and stunt coordination got attention for balancing practical effects with modern visual effects, a choice that often wins both critical and mainstream audiences.
"Uncharted showed how a video game adaptation can succeed when it respects the source material while leaning into cinematic instincts," says Marko Jensen, cinema historian. "If Sony gives the sequel careful development time and keeps its central stars, the franchise could become a durable action series rather than a one-off summer spectacle."
What fans should watch for next
Keep an eye on casting confirmations and a formal production announcement from Sony. Script drafts can take time, and studios sometimes incubate sequels while tracking international box office performance and merchandising potential. For now, the most realistic expectation is a patient development process rather than an immediate green light.
Whether Uncharted becomes a multi-film franchise may hinge on balancing fan expectations, creative leadership, and strategic studio planning. The first film proved the concept works; the sequel will need to convince both critics and ticket-buyers that it can expand the world and raise the stakes.
In short: there's interest and momentum, but the roadmap remains incomplete — and that ambiguity is part of the modern franchise game.
Comments
bioNix
Is this even true? Fleischer says he's out of the loop but scripts are being written, sounds like classic studio limbo. keep the stunts practical, please
atomwave
Wow didn't expect Uncharted to do that well, but why is Sony so quiet now? feels like they don't trust the formula. Tom+Wahlberg need more time, but hurry up! also, change of director could ruin it...
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