Mark Wahlberg’s ‘Italian Job’ Sequel: Could It Still Happen?

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Mark Wahlberg is well-known for starring in big action movies, but surprisingly, he hasn’t yet appeared in a sequel to his most popular film, even after 23 years. This isn’t due to a lack of effort – quite the opposite! He’s been incredibly productive, appearing in over 45 movies, working as a producer on many projects, earning an Oscar nomination, starting a family with four children, launching successful businesses, and even receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He’s consistently worked on films that audiences have enjoyed, despite some not being considered critical successes.

Mark Wahlberg is known for playing both tough action heroes and relatable, everyday characters. Despite appearing in over 60 movies, he’s only revisited a few roles in sequels – including Ted 2, Transformers: The Last Knight, Daddy’s Home 2, and The Family Plan 2. This makes it surprising that one of his most popular and well-regarded films hasn’t gotten a sequel. It clearly has the potential for a franchise, with a popular star, eager fans, and a story that could be expanded. Many viewers want a follow-up, but the question remains: could a sequel actually work? Or will this thrilling action film always be remembered as a single, standout success?

Mark Wahlberg’s ‘The Italian Job’ Is A Killer Heist Movie – So Where’s the Sequel?


Paramount Pictures

While some prefer the 1969 version, the 2003 film The Italian Job is a highlight of Mark Wahlberg’s career and a truly great movie. Its incredible cast – including Charlize Theron, Jason Statham, Edward Norton, Seth Green, and Donald Sutherland – is a major reason why. The film expertly mixes humor and suspense, telling the story of a team of thieves who plot revenge against a former teammate who double-crossed them and stole $35 million in gold. Though Wahlberg leads the cast, the movie works because it gives each member of the crew a chance to showcase their skills. This clever writing allows Theron to shine as a safe-cracker, Green to provide constant comedic relief as the quirky tech expert, and Statham to lead thrilling speedboat chases through the canals of Vienna – making it a highly entertaining film.

Despite earning $176 million worldwide on a $60 million budget, the 2003 film The Italian Job – a fun, star-packed heist movie comparable to Ocean’s Eleven – never got a follow-up. It wasn’t for lack of effort. For years, rumors circulated about a sequel, The Brazilian Job, which director F. Gary Gray recently confirmed was actually in development. Gray explained to Vulture that the main reason The Brazilian Job never happened was frequent changes in leadership at Paramount Pictures – the studio went through four different heads after The Italian Job came out. The idea for a Brazilian setting actually originated on set; producer Donald De Line joked during a particularly cold shoot that a sequel should be filmed somewhere warmer. After the film’s success, Paramount began commissioning scripts. “Over about five years, I read three different versions,” Gray said, “and I’d often run into Mark [Wahlberg] or Donald, and they’d assure me it was still happening.”

Despite twenty years of talk, a sequel to The Italian Job, called The Brazilian Job, never happened. Paramount Pictures didn’t prioritize writing a script or planning production, and the project stalled. Over time, it became just a forgotten idea as the actors involved became increasingly busy with other work. Mark Wahlberg and Jason Statham both became major action stars, with Statham joining franchises like The Fast and the Furious and The Expendables. Charlize Theron won an Oscar for Monster shortly after The Italian Job came out, launching a successful career that included both dramatic roles and action films. As their careers took off in different directions, the chances of The Brazilian Job ever being made seemed to fade away.

‘The Brazilian Job’ Can Still Be Made, But Time Is Running Out


Paramount Pictures

Fans have waited over two decades for a sequel to The Italian Job, and many have started to believe it will never happen. However, it’s still possible, though challenging. Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, and Jason Statham are all currently involved in numerous projects – 24, 25, and 6 films respectively, according to IMDb. Plus, Stephen Green is busy with voiceover work, and Yasiin Bey hasn’t acted much since 2016. These commitments, combined with the actors’ busy lives, make finding time for a Brazilian Job shoot difficult. Paramount Pictures also has a full plate, working hard to make Paramount+ competitive with streaming giants like Netflix and HBO Max. For the sequel to move forward, Paramount would need to fully approve the project and prioritize it – something they didn’t do before. That’s the only way the original cast could realistically find the time to return.

Look, as a huge fan of The Italian Job, I’m saying absolutely YES to The Brazilian Job! 2026 is already shaping up to be packed with sequels everyone’s excited about, and that proves how much people love a good franchise – and how much money they can make! Plus, Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, and Jason Statham are all huge action stars right now, with tons of experience. But let’s be real, they’re not getting any younger. While they’re all still going strong, there’s a point where making a movie as action-packed as The Brazilian Job might just become too physically demanding. If Paramount is even thinking about a sequel, now is the perfect – and honestly, the last – chance to make it happen!

The biggest reason Paramount should make a sequel to The Italian Job, now titled The Brazilian Job, is the guaranteed success it would have at the box office. Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, and Jason Statham have all become major stars since the first film, and bringing them back together is a smart move for the studio. With the potential return of original cast members Seth Green and Donald Sutherland, The Brazilian Job could become a highly anticipated sequel, comparable to a potential Ocean’s 14 starring George Clooney. Paramount has a great chance to create another blockbuster – they just need to seize the opportunity, much like the skilled thieves in the movies.




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2026-02-23 01:18