It's been 4 years since the theatrical release of Sin City, and nary a sequel is to be found, despite creator Frank Miller's assurances to the contrary. Sin City, the movie adaptation of the highly successful comic book series created by writer/artist Frank Miller, was originally published by Dark Horse Comics back in 1991 (through 2000).
Miller had risen to the top of the comic book industry during his famed run as writer/artist on Marvel Comic's Daredevil series, and shot to celebrity status with his acclaimed graphic novel The Dark Knight Returns— which told the story of an aged and battered Bruce Wayne, and his struggle to keep Gotham from falling deeper and deeper into the sewer it had turned into. It was the story that put the "Dark" back into the Bat-Man. Miller also created 300, another graphic novel which adapted the historic battle between the Spartans and the Persians.
About 4 years after the release of the 13 part Sin City maxi-series, a movie adaptation went into production, with Miller signing on as co-director and screenwriter. Director Robert Rodriguez was Miller's "co-director", with Quentin Tarantino lending an assist as "special guest director". The movie hit theaters in 2005, to mostly good reviews, and great accolades from fans, who loved that comic book stylization of the cinematography which closely captured Millers artistic style of light and shade.
The movie did good box office, good enough to warrant a sequel. So why the delay? Miller has stated on several occasions that the script is finished. In fact, it was finished way back in 2006, according to actress Rosario Dawson (who played the prostitute leader in Sin City). Miller and Rodriguez have been coy, blaming the delays on their busy filming schedules, with Rodriguez working on a Barbarella remake, and Miller writing and directing the abysmal movie adaptation of comic legend, Will Eisner's The Spirit.
In January of this year, MTV reported that the Sin City sequel would start principal photography later in the year, but didn't give an actual date. In April, it was reported that The Weinstein Company had lost the rights to the property. However TWC denies the report. Last month producer Stephen L'Heureux said that SC2 was scheduled to start filming in the second half of 2010. Okay, if he says so.
Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Johnny Depp and Rose McGowen (Rodriguez's main squeeze), all have been rumored to be "attached" to the project, but these rumors have not been confirmed at this time. With the long time lag between the films, one wonders if the bloom has fallen of the lilly? Since Sin City, movies like 300, The Spirit, and a few copycats have used (or overused) the unique style of the original. Yes, Miller and City have a built-in audience among the fanboys and girls, but will the general public still find SC2 as intriguing as the first one?
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