Could There Really Be a 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang' Sequel?
Sun, March 22, 2009 
Some movies are ahead of their time. Others are a few years too late. Fittingly, for a movie that managed to blend so many things together, "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" somehow managed to be both.
The 2005 comedy, directed by Shane Black, was well-received by critics but ignored by movie audiences.
Black was a few years removed from his screenwriting glory days (the "Lethal Weapon" movies, for example) and the movie was not well-marketed.
In addition, the movie starred a pair of actors -- Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer -- whose best days at the box office were in the rearview mirror.
Had the movie been made a few years earlier, then Black, Downey Jr. and Kilmer likely would have carried the movie to a nice payday at the box office.
Flash forward a few years and Downey Jr. is back on the Hollywood A-List and the movie's female lead, Michelle Monaghan, is a rising star.
If the movie was released this year, with the same cast, again it very well may have been a hit.
As it was, the movie, with an estimated budget of $15 million, pulled in only $4.2 million domestically. Surprisingly, it did better worldwide, where it gathered an additional $11.5 in box office outside the U.S.
Normally, a movie with those kinds of numbers would have no chance of a sequel, right? Well, there is at least one person who apparently wants to see the sequel made -- Val Kilmer.
Last night, via his Twitter page, Kilmer said, "RDJ, Jr and I talked AGAIN about a Kiss Kiss Bang Bang sequel... Now that he is king of all time and space it will happen."
Now, will it happen? I would have to put it down as unlikely at best. The numbers work against it and it's possible Downey Jr. was just being nice.
But should it happen? I would be on board. I enjoyed the first one and I would love to see what would have to be one of the most unlikely sequels ever to get made.
And I will add that if this whole idea seems implausibly strange, you really need to get to know Val Kilmer better.
Reader Comments (2)
I would love to see a sequel. Kilmer might just be able to pull it off.
While I wouldn't mind a sequel...I loved the first film...a lot of people who have seen it also liked/loved it too. Personally, I'd also like a follow up to Kilmer's Spartan but with or without Mamet, I know it won't take place. I loved this film, and, with or without Shane Black, I'm just as iffy, even if it did better abroad and on video.
It should be pointed out that Bang Bang wasn't a big budget film by H'wood creed.
But can I make another possible outcome? Shane Black can write/dust off a script, return as director. Get Kilmer and Downey Jr (and possibly Michelle Monaghan) in on the new story, new characters and so on. They all jelled together; I wonder if another project might do the same magic.
(but if another were on the docket-you won't hear me complain)