Producer John Davis recently revealed that the cult hit superhero drama Chronicle is getting a sequel which is currently in production. It has been almost a decade since the release of the first film and the film landscape has changed dramatically, raising interesting questions about a theoretical Chronicle 2.
Chronicle was directed by Josh Trank and written by Max Landis, the former went on to direct the massive 2015 bomb Fantastic Four, the latter went on to disgrace and infamy as horrid accusations surfaced from multiple sources. Despite this rough pedigree, the film is fondly remembered and the sequel, which thus far features neither of the two, caused a significant buzz from fans. RELATED: Taika Waititi Says His Star Wars Story Is 'Very Me'
Chronicle was released in 2012, starring Dane DeHaan, Michael B. Jordan, and Alex Russell. It released in the found footage craze of the era which captured audience interest before becoming tired and overdone. The film had a low budget, but massively outperformed expectations at the box office. DeHaan and Jordan were up and coming stars at the moment, but have gone on to much bigger projects. The film was a surprise to audiences and a shocking hit.
The film centers around a trio of high school-aged boys, big man on campus Steve, decent everyman Matt and his cousin, troubled misanthrope Andrew. Andrew suffers constant abuse by his peers and his alcoholic father as his mother suffers from cancer, and he has taken to filming his life for documentary purposes, providing the perspective by which the audience sees the film. Matt tries amiably to bring him along to parties and help him socialize, and at one of these gatherings, Steve brings the two of them to a mysterious hole in the woods.
The glowing mystery grants the trio telekinesis, which they use mainly for silly pranks and entertainment. Things turn grim as Andrew's life gets even worse and he begins to use the sudden increase in power for dark ends. The story blends a superhero origin story with a We Need To Talk About Kevin-esque dive into childhood psychological anguish. The found footage gimmick, often a method to disguise the cheap look of a low-budget production, but it gives Chronicle a naturalistic feel that places the audience right in the middle of harshest moments.
All that is known about the upcoming sequel is that it will be led by women, rather than the all-male main cast of the first film. Appropriate for a film inspired by works like Carrie. The events of the first story are extremely personal, entirely surrounding the perspective of its main characters. No explanation is ever given to the mysterious spot in the woods or the source of their telekinetic powers, and that is part of the film's charm. The soul of the film is a first-person portrayal of three young people who get superpowers as their unique circumstances lead their lives in different directions. It's a story about how different people react to power, and that story could go infinite ways.
Chronicle was new and fresh because it told an entire superhero story with original characters in a tight story with no fluff. The age of superhero movies was beginning to reach its place of cultural dominance, long before the concept of superhero fatigue was conceptualized. The Avengers came out a couple of months after Chronicle, making it a welcome reprieve from the massive blockbusters and explosion-laden action of the MCU. This granted the film an important place in the cinema landscape. Now, 9 years later, cinema is in a different place which could change the impact of a theoretical Chronicle sequel.
Today, the superhero movie craze has had its crescendo and is still the defining hallmark of the two biggest cultural forces competing today. Chronicle is still a fresh take on the concept for its willingness to tackle harsh topics and grim portrayal of the different effects of power. The effect of superhero fatigue will likely weigh heavily on the sequel, possibly hurting audience interest in the project, but possibly increasing the effect of the film. Audiences have seen a comical amount superhero origin stories on screen, but most of them stay in safe territory, far away from difficult subject matter.
Shortly after the release of Chronicle, the found footage genre died a slow death. An attempt to create a sequel to the film faces a difficult question; use the gimmick and be labeled an outdated throwback or abandon the gimmick and bear no similarity to the first film. Either way, the film takes a risk in its presentation. Found footage became overused in the mid-2010s, almost no films in that style have made it to theatres over the last few years. Chronicle was in the minority of found footage films, in that the gimmick served a purpose and heightened the tension. The film created a clever trick that made the style more effective, by giving the character filming telekinesis, he could simply levitate the camera. This kept the naturalistic style while allowing for more complex camera shots. This trick was new to the style and endemic to the film, a sequel would lose a lot by abandoning that hallmark.
The biggest issue with a sequel to this film is that Chronicle might not be a trick that can be pulled off twice. It was lightning in a bottle, combining the superhero craze with the found footage craze in a unique style and a well-contained story. While the idea of a sequel is tantalizing, what makes a Chronicle film could be quite eclectic. So long as the film centers around young people gaining superpowers and explores what they choose to do with them, it can be recognized as an heir to the previous film. The odds are long, but a creative filmmaker could find a way to reinvent the wheel again and bring a powerful new piece of art to screens.
Chronicle 2 may have a difficult road ahead of it, creating a new project after something so specific will be a substantial challenge. The sequel has the chance to make a new leap forward in the medium, but a greater chance to be unimpressive and swiftly forgotten. MORE: Rob Zombie Teases Set Photos From The Munsters Reboot