Is there a bigger tragedy in comic book movies than Dredd‘s box office performance in 2012? Featuring everything that Judge Dredd fans could imagine, its only crime was being released in the same year as Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises. But doesn’t Karl Urban deserve a chance at redemption with Dredd 2?
The failure of Dredd is something that everyone should be ashamed of. For years, fans demanded films that look and feel the same as the source material, fearing that comic book movies had been watered down for the general audience. When it eventually happened, the movie tanked at the box office.
Speaking to Den of Geek, The Lord of the Rings actor argued that the film itself wasn’t a failure, but the marketing was. “How does a movie with a 78% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes fail? Through zero audience awareness,” Karl Urban said. “Nobody knew the movie was being released. Dredd represents a failure in marketing, not filmmaking. Dredd sold 750,000 units, in North America, the first week it went on sale on DVD, which earned it a lot of money and the number one slot. Proof that the audience, once they became aware, wanted to see it.”
In fact, the home video sales and cult status left fans with the possibility that a sequel could always be possible in the future. As time passed, however, it became less and less likely. There was a glimmer of hope when the Judge Dredd: Mega-City One TV series was announced in 2017. Then, CEO of Rebellion, Jason Kingsley, confirmed last year that the show is written and ready to go, and that he hopes Karl Urban returns as the law enforcer.
When asked about the possibility of playing Dredd again, Urban told Screen Geek: “Well, listen, it’s very, very early to get into any specifics on that, but I’ve gone on the record before saying that I would love to come back and be a part of that world and tell more Dredd stories.”
So, if both parties want it to happen, what’s the delay? Easy. Karl Urban’s commitment to The Boys series as Billy Butcher. Make no mistake about it, the series is one of the hottest commodities on Amazon at the moment and there’s no way it’ll want to lose Urban to a competing comic book show. As much as he might want to play Dredd, does he have the time to commit to another TV show right now? More importantly, can he?
While Karl Urban as Dredd in a Mega-City One television series is better than not seeing him as the character ever again, Dredd 2 still makes more sense when you consider the other factors at play here. A film will give him a clear view of production, allowing him to plan his schedule accordingly. That way, he can be both Dredd and Butcher without any problems.
On the flip side, maybe Urban is able to negotiate his way onto the Mega-City One show after all. And if it proves to be a success that everyone thinks it will be, it might convince producers to give Dredd another shot on the big screen. One thing’s for certain, though: everybody wants to see Urban return as the Judge. It simply needs to happen now.
Would be great to see Karl against the Dark Judges. Fear, Mortis and of course Judge Death !!
They could even do a crossover with Jurassic Park type SFX and develop a story based on the early “Flesh” story lines from 2000ad :)
Couldn’t agree MORE!!!
100%! Karl Urban is a bada$$ in every show he takes part in. No better role than the biggest bada$$ of mega city one!
Yes.
Urban IS Dredd. We all deserve another film.
I would love to see another Dredd movie. Karl Urban was a brilliant choice and would love to see him back in the role. It was dark, it was gritty, it was violent which is exactly what it should be.
There is a lot of source material that they could use but I think they would have to tread very carefully before using any of it. Judge Death makes a good option but it would have to be done very well, but there are so many other classic stories to choose from as well.
Yes, yes, and a million times yes. The film was a perfect encapsulation of, and tribute to, the essence of the comics. Not as slavish as Snyder’s 300 / Watchmen or Rodriguez’s Sin City but all the more powerful for it. And Karl U was perfect – this should have been to his career what Terminator was to Arnold’s : the part he was born to play and his ticket to the A list. Please let him do another one and market it properly this time.
The failure of the Dredd film was down to publicity. Many block busters spends millions + on advertising.
Yes.
Dredd 2
Mega City One
I’m waiting and hoping
Karl Urban would be perfect for the roll
Most definitely, movie or TV series
Yes!!! We need to see a Dredd 2 – everyone that wasn’t a Dredd comic book fan thought it honestly was a re-release of the Dredd movie with Sylvester. I am dumbfunded at people’s wits sometimes… I was like ehhhh, what? So that is also what Dredd had against it. People remembered the original with Sylvester and thought it was something like that… which it thank-god.. isn’t or wasn’t. :) So yes! We need a Dredd 2 or Karl in Mega-City-One.
Yyyes yesyeayes!!!!!!
I would love to see Urban suit up again in either the series or a movie. The difficulty with the sequel, according to Urban, was how many different entities that owned rights to the first movie. I guess it was a challenge even getting that one made and funding came from all sorts of places and each wanted a share in ownership. It’s a damn shame! I do in fact remember seeing a trailer for Dredd but the shitty 1995 movie wrecked my brain and I figured it would be more or less the same thing. Boy, was I wrong! Stupid, stupid, stupid!
Karl urban is dredd, stallones dredd was very comical and soft compared to the comic books. Although urban is smaller than stallone, he fills dredds boots better. Dredd was raw and gritty just like in 2000ad. Like it should be. If Karl isn’t in part 2 or the series then I will lose interest pretty quick unless it’s dave batista
Karl urban is dredd, stallones dredd was very comical and soft compared to the comic books. Although urban is smaller than stallone, he fills dredds boots better. Dredd was raw and gritty just like in 2000ad. Like it should be. If Karl isn’t in part 2 or the series then I will lose interest pretty quick unless it’s dave batista
Yes plsss?!!
Do I want a Dredd 2 sequel with Urban? Of course. Would Hollywood “F” it up. Probably.
Do I want a Dredd 2 sequel with Urban? Of course. Would Hollywood “F” it up. More than likely.
Hell yes. He was awesome as Judge Dredd. It would be cool if he teamed up with Judge Anderson (Olivia Thirlby) again too. If they were to become a team, instead of isolated judges, working.
Absolutely make it happen!!!
The best judge you could ask for. Swift and fair.
Urban should return as Dredd and have at least a further 3 sequels so he can fully develop this universe. Also would love.to see him against judge death and the gang.
I know many will disagree but I really liked the Stalone version. I thought it hit a good balance of ridiculous, funny, over the top and with memorably funny characters. I did not watch Urban at theatres because it was a “how could they improve on that?”. I had a similar feeling about Total Recall when they remade that. Urban’s version was grittier, more realistic but had less of a comic book feel to me. I can take it or leave it on a remake.
Hell yes and he can do both shows providing they are not aired during the same time of year.
Absolutely. Huge fan of the first one.
Dress was flawlessly executed and I don’t say that about many films. 4 out of 4 stars for me. Urban was born to play the roll. More Dress, please, whether it’s a series on a streaming platform or film released in theaters. I’m in.
Hell yeah!!!
Karl Urban IS Dredd. That movie is amazing and deserves more than 1 sequel. One of the best comic adaptations in the last decade, easily
Yes I loved the movie when I discovered it and have watched it so many times I have lost count so yes,yes,yes I would love to see another movie especially with Karl Urban seeming he’s one of my favourite actors.
yes
I’m desperate for Karl Urban to get another shot at Judge Dredd. A television show leaves room for longer form stories which fit the universe, which was always interesting and kinda spooky in an authoritarian sense. Dredd 3d was a fantastic movie, especially given its budget. It’s an absolute tragedy that we didn’t get a continuation.
Hell yes The Law needs to return via Karl Urban! There is no doubt about it! I always enjoyed both of the Judge Dredd films, Stallone for its epicness and Urban for its absolute grittiness. Of the two Dredds, I honestly find it a difficult choice but what always won me Urban over Stallone was his tired pissed off character that seemed to be a more real character.
Gotta start a petition!!
ABSOLUTELY YES……thought Urban as Dredd was awesome…we go see it in a heartbeat
I’M a big huge fan ,whatever it’s a series or another moviei want it realllllllly Bad.
I have 3 twelve inch action figurines,plus one 2000 A.D..
TWO motorcycles of different size 12 inch and 3 3/4.
What ever they called him Judge Dredd, or jUst DREDD,it’ sure with Dredd,they wete closer to the real caracter.
I Want it really bad.I’m a big collectors,every boddy close to me know that i love Judge Dredd,and everything that comes with it under every forms.
He did a great job last time round. Let him go again
He did a great job last time round. Let him go again
Yes! Definitely, yes on Dredd 2 with Karl Urban. Mega -City One would be great as well!
Hell, why not Both!!!!
Kurl Urban should be dredd…
MORE Karl Urban and DREDD! Definitely, movie or TV series, JUST WANT!!
Needs to happen, Dredd was a great film.
Anyone who disagrees can do 10 years in the iso-cubes…
YES!!!!!!!
Yes
As a fan of the original series in the comic when it came out in the late 70’s I’d waited almost 25 years for film studios to get it right when Dredd came out, for them not to do a sequel would be a tragedy
As a fan of the original series in the comic when it came out in the late 70’s I’d waited almost 25 years for film studios to get it right when Dredd came out, for them not to do a sequel would be a tragedy
Both need to happen, Movie and the TV show, theres plenty of source material. i want to see jimps, fatties, the cursed earth, sovs, brit city, muties, block warz and all of it.
YEEEEEESSSSSS!!!!!!!!
With a face like his and the his legendary cast in other super related shows… How can one not say he is the judge of this generation… the jaw matches his predecessor too
It has to happen!! So disappointed as they nailed this version of Judge Dredd. I did read the series would be about different characters so there’s the chance for Urban to do his scenes in a shorter length of time. So he wouldn’t be the main focus every week. Bring it on!!
I loved the movie. My wife and I went to see it at the cinema. When the DVD came out I bought that too.
If they’re doing Mega City One, then how about the epic Apocalypse War.
WOULD GLADLY LIKE TO SEE
Make a Dredd 2 or a TV show with Urban, but with those oversized shoulder pads from Stallone’s uniform! No point in striving to make it too ‘realistic’; it’s based on an over-the-top comic book after all.
OMG Yes please!!! Make it so!!! I swear, by my pretty floral bonnet, I have spoken.
Urban and the Dredd movie is 1000 times more entertaining than any of those Marvel movies.
Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!Yes!
Damn right I want to see another movie dredd its self was an amazing movie, being more true to the comic is what is needed
YES! YES! YES!
Yes hes played character more like the comics cold calculating murder judge in the name of the law i am the law better than sly version but the war robot,and the mutant hillbillys should put in dress 2 with urban as dredd
Hell yes Karl Urban needs another shot at Dredd
Oh hell yeah. Urban’s dread is 1000 times better than Stallone’s.
Yes yes yes to the Series and Movie
Please do
Been reading Dredd since 1979 and bring it
Yes
Nice i liked the first one.
Oh HEL YES!!! We, The People, demand it! The studio owes this to Karl and to us for the utter shit-show their marketing team put on for advertising the first film.
Rebelion don’t have the money to make a Judge Dredd series. They need a streaming service like Netflix or Amazon to fund and platform it. Rebellion have never made a TV series and they can’t find anyone to fund an expensive Judge Dredd series.
They also don’t have the rights to the 2012 film so can’t make a sequel to it.
Karl Urban was perfect for the part and his performance was excellent. He should play in the next movie for sure.
He should also be considered for any future JACK REACHER movie. In the Jack Reacher novels I have heard/read, I personally pictured Karl Urban pulling this character off fantastically. Realistically, he can pull it off better than Tom Cruise, PERIOD.
The reason he did such a good job is he understood the character and it’s history and made sure to follow it as close as possible even when the movie company wanted to deviate. Urban is Dredd!!
Yes. Yes, I do.
”Is there a bigger tragedy in comic book movies than Dredd‘s box office performance in 2012?” er yes – the 1995 Stallone version of Dredd, Judge Dreddfull more like it…
Karl Urban was a excellent choice as Dredd. I would love to see another Dredd movie, but only with him in that role!
Karl Urban was a excellent choice as Dredd. I would love to see another Dredd movie, but only with him in that role!
Dredd will be a movie that stands the test of time, in 20 years time it will be viewed with cult movie status. Movies like Dredd shouldn’t be measured by box offfice success, look at Blade Runner and The Thing, they both did poorly at the box office, but have far out lasted other sci fi movies that were more of a box office success af the time. I would love to see Karl Urban back in the role for another Dredd movie, as I really liked his interpretation … It’s a no brainer that he should be given the opportunity to reprise the role again. I look forward to it.
Fuck yes!
+1, hope it happens
The first film is so well done it thoroughly deserves a sequel. Thes time I’m sure marketing would get it right and promote the hell out of it!