30 Years Later, Sylvester Stallone’s Sci-Fi Action Thriller Deserves a Legacy Sequel

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While superhero movies aren’t as dominant as they once were, with DC trying a fresh start and Marvel wrapping up a major storyline, other comic book publishers are looking to break into the movie scene. Looking ahead to 2025, both long-awaited sequels and revivals of beloved films – like a classic Sylvester Stallone movie – are expected to be big hits.

Recent blockbuster movies like *Top Gun: Maverick* and *Spider-Man: No Way Home* show that audiences love seeing established characters return to theaters. Although not all of 2000 AD’s comic book adaptations have been successful, the company has a well-known character who could be the basis for a new sequel and revive a classic franchise.

Judge Dredd Is A Classic That Still Hasn’t Been Surpassed

Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe became a hit, Hollywood tried something new in 1995 with a movie based on a relatively unknown comic book character. The film, distributed by Buena Vista Pictures, was inspired by the British comic series *Judge Dredd* and starred Sylvester Stallone in hopes of attracting a large audience.

Although the 1995 film *Judge Dredd* didn’t perform poorly at the box office, it didn’t meet expectations, earning $113.5 million worldwide on a $90 million budget. Critics weren’t impressed either, giving it a low 21% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the movie gained a following on DVD and Blu-ray, and over the years, opinions have improved. Now, Sylvester Stallone’s *Judge Dredd* is often considered a cult classic.

While many remember the movie for Stallone’s acting, he himself feels it didn’t reach its full potential. He’s said, “Looking back, *Judge Dredd* feels like a missed opportunity. We could have done so much more with the scenes set in the Cursed Earth, but the final result just didn’t live up to what I envisioned.”

Another Judge Dredd movie came out in 2012. This one, simply titled Dredd, was a fast-paced, realistic action film that stayed true to the comic book source material – a big improvement over the 1995 version. Unfortunately, it didn’t make much money at the box office. Interestingly, some viewers even missed the over-the-top style of the earlier film. Maybe the key to a successful Judge Dredd movie is finding a balance between serious action and a bit of fun.

It’s Not Too Late For A Judge Dredd Legacy Film

Despite once calling the movie *Judge Dredd* his “biggest mistake,” Sylvester Stallone has admitted he actually likes the source material and believes the film had potential. He suggested it could have been better if it had leaned more into comedy and been a more lighthearted experience.

After the darker take on *Dredd* didn’t resonate with viewers, Sylvester Stallone’s concept of a funny action movie might be just what a new sequel needs. The 1995 film ended with Judge Dredd committed to continuing his street-level crime fighting, a choice that would likely define his life. A much older and world-weary Dredd might even come to question that dedication.

Look, as a critic, I’m always up for a good action flick, and the idea of another *Judge Dredd* movie really gets my attention. What’s especially exciting is the potential to see both Sylvester Stallone *and* Karl Urban reprise the role. Stallone’s Dredd, considering his age, could be a seasoned veteran, maybe even retired and mentoring a new generation. But I can easily see a situation where he’s pulled back into the action, teaming up with Urban’s Dredd for a truly epic crime-fighting duo. There’s a lot of source material to draw from, and cleverly weaving Stallone’s character into a new story feels completely doable – and frankly, pretty awesome.

A new *Judge Dredd* movie could also go in a darker direction. Judge Dredd is known for being a very violent character, and even the first film didn’t shy away from that. Since fans of the 1995 movie have grown up, a sequel could appeal to them by being even more brutal and intense.

Like The Punisher, Judge Dredd is most engaging when the comics don’t shy away from violence as he delivers his brand of justice. A new sequel could be much better than the 1990s film because it wouldn’t have the same limitations.

It’s very doubtful Sylvester Stallone will lead a sequel to one of his classic films. A new movie is in the works based on the ‘2000 AD’ comic, and it’s meant to kick off a shared cinematic universe. While Stallone might have a cameo in the film directed by Taika Waititi, it’s unlikely he’ll be the main star or even return to his original role.

Stallone’s Version Of Judge Dredd Could Continue In Comics

Sylvester Stallone first brought Judge Dredd to the big screen, and his movie introduced many fans to the character. Now, the comic book creators at 2000 AD could gain new readers by continuing the story from the 1995 film. They could either pick up right where the movie ended, or they could show an older version of Dredd who looks like Stallone does now.

This project could potentially lead to a new animated series or movie based on *Judge Dredd*. The success of shows like *Invincible* demonstrates the potential, and a new adaptation could even capture the nostalgic feel of ’90s animation, much like *X-Men ’97* does.

Bringing Judge Dredd back as an animated series offers another exciting possibility: Sylvester Stallone could reprise his role by voicing the character. Even with time passing, he could bring back the feel of his original performance. This new series might also spark interest in the 1995 film among a new generation of viewers.

I’ve been a fan of Judge Dredd since I first discovered it, and while the ’90s movie wasn’t a hit when it came out, a lot of comics actually referenced it! Now, people are starting to see Stallone’s Dredd for what it is – a really cool take on the character. With a new adaptation coming, I truly believe it’s the perfect moment to create a comic book series that continues the story of that awesome film. It deserves a follow-up, and I’d love to see it happen!

Similar to the 1995 film *Judge Dredd*, there’s potential for a new project that could even combine different interpretations of the character. While Judge Dredd hasn’t always resonated with audiences in live-action films, a sequel that builds on the existing story could finally give him the recognition he deserves. Whether it’s a new movie, comic book, or animated series, Sylvester Stallone’s version of Dredd deserves another chance.

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2025-10-17 23:07