This Sci-fi Masterpiece Should Have Started a Franchise Back in 2018 (And We’re Still Waiting)

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For over ten years, big science fiction franchises have ruled Hollywood, but they all started somewhere else. Jurassic World revived the dinosaur series and turned it into a huge money-maker after a long break, and we’ve continued to see success with the Marvel and DC universes. While many original sci-fi films have tried to launch new series—like Pacific Rim—very few have succeeded. A Quiet Place is one of the rare exceptions, growing into a franchise with video games, sequels, and prequels.

It’s a bit of a bummer to realize it’s been eight years since Upgrade came out. As a huge fan of sci-fi and thrillers, I remember being immediately hooked by Leigh Whannell’s cyberpunk vision and Logan Marshall-Green’s performance. The film felt so fresh and built a world I was genuinely excited to see more of. It got great reviews, and considering Whannell’s background with successful franchises, I really thought it would launch something big. Sadly, it was a one-off, and honestly, if things had gone a little differently, we’d probably be anticipating Upgrade 3 or 4 right now.

Upgrade Already Had the World of a Sci-Fi Franchise

Set in 2046, the film Upgrade takes place in a future where it’s common for people to enhance their bodies with technology. Several companies offer these augmentations, and a thriving black market provides cheaper options. This world also features self-driving cars and robotic police drones – technologies that would be commonplace today. The story centers around Grey, played by Logan Marshall-Green, an automechanic who becomes paralyzed and loses his wife in an attack. He then undergoes an experimental procedure to implant “STEM,” a device that not only restores his physical abilities but also provides him with an AI assistant that he can hear internally.

Driven by the injustice surrounding his wife’s death, Grey begins his own investigation. He’s sometimes aided by STEM, an advanced technology that can take over his body and turn him into a powerful weapon. However, STEM’s help isn’t as selfless as it appears; it’s later revealed to be a calculated move in a much larger plan. We won’t spoil the ending, but while it provides a satisfying conclusion, the story’s world feels ripe for further exploration.

Ultimately, Upgrade is a thrilling, action-packed movie that delivers for fans of the genre. It builds a detailed and interesting world with potential for many more stories, hinting at exciting possibilities – like the conflicts between the companies creating these technological enhancements, and the inner workings of the black market for “upgrades.” Beyond the thought-provoking questions it raises about technology and ethics, Upgrade also features incredibly intense and innovative action sequences that set it apart from other films with similar ideas.

Upgrade’s Future Was Derailed

Looking back at the world created in Upgrade, it’s striking how ahead of its time it was. Artificial intelligence has not only become a major topic of discussion, but it’s now integrated into our daily lives. While we haven’t reached the advanced level of AI seen in the film, self-driving cars exist and AI assistants are increasingly common. In fact, reality is quickly mirroring the world of Upgrade—much faster than we’re likely to see a sequel. This raises the question: how did we get here?

Made for just $3 million, the movie Upgrade earned $17 million at the box office – a good profit, but not a blockbuster. Despite this, discussions about a sequel continued. Director Leigh Whannell originally wrote Upgrade as a one-time story with no plans for a follow-up, but its potential was obvious. In a 2020 interview, Whannell said financial considerations made a sequel unlikely, though he enjoyed making the first film and would be interested in revisiting the story with a larger budget.

In February 2020, before the pandemic significantly changed things, Jason Blum mentioned he was open to making a sequel to Upgrade, even though there weren’t any concrete plans at the time. A few months later, in May, a television series based on Upgrade was officially announced, promising to expand the story and take place years after the movie’s events. This would be Leigh Whannell’s third major film franchise, following his work creating the Saw and Insidious series.

The frustrating thing is, the Upgrade TV series simply never materialized. Like many announced Hollywood projects – particularly those from 2020 – it quietly faded away, and there’s been absolutely no news about its status, potential continuation, or future plans. It’s disappointing, especially considering how much our world is starting to resemble the one depicted in Upgrade; we missed out on a potentially great, original franchise that cleverly reflected our own reality.

It’s been eight years since the initial release of Upgrade, and it seems those in charge have lost interest. However, we’re nearing a time when a reboot could be popular. Let’s hope it happens before fully immersive STEM technology becomes a reality.

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2026-06-01 23:40