Polar Express 2 is being ‘worked out’ reveals producer Gary Goetman… 20 years after holiday classic starring Tom Hanks was released

A holiday classic may soon have a sequel in the works.

While promoting his latest feature, the Apple TV+ war epic Masters Of The Air, producer Gary Goetzman revealed that he has his sights set on a sequel to Polar Express (2004), during an interview with ComicBook.com.

The original 2004 Christmas adventure fantasy film directed by Robert Zemeckis, who worked from a script he co-authored with William Broyles Jr. wrote, received divisive reviews from critics upon release, with some calling it an “instant Christmas classic” and others criticizing the characters. as ‘lifeless zombies.’

But the film has since become a cultural phenomenon, with references to the animation and story regularly part of the conversation in both the mainstream spotlight and social media comments with fans.

Ultimately, Polar Express, featuring human characters animated using live action and motion capture computer animation, starring Tom Hanks, grossed $314.2 million at the worldwide box office, while working with a budget of between $165 and 170 million.

According to Goetzman, Polar Express 2 is a project that he and others who worked on the original have their hearts set on and are trying to get moving despite possible obstacles.

“Listen, I’d love to,” Goetzman said of the sequel, before mentioning that there are some old films he hopes to revisit with a sequel or prequel.

‘I would love to make a sequel to Where The Wild Things Are. There’s a lot of things we’ve done, if it’s established itself, branded itself, those movies, studios want another one,” the producer explained. ‘That’s how it goes. I’m ready for Mamma Mia 3, man. That would be a ball to do now. ‘

The former child star continued, “But it becomes, there’s so much to it, ‘Who would be his artistic property? Would that be?’ It’s just not like, “Hey, let’s free sail again!” So they all take time and that’s fine because we don’t mind things moving slowly. But that is certainly being worked out now, Polar 2. Yes.’

The original film was based on the 1985 book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg.

In addition to Hanks, the cast also included Daryl Sabara, Nona Gaye, Jimmy Bennett, Eddie Deezen, Josh Hutcherson, Michael Jeter, Peter Scolari, Hayden McFarland, Matthew Hall, Jimmy Pinchak, ndré Sogliuzzo, Leslie Zemeckis, Dylan Cash, Isabella Peregrina, Onder other Ashly Holloway.

Because a sequel to Chris Van Allsburg’s 1985 children’s book of the same name was never published, a sequel would have to be written from scratch. So there’s no telling where a Polar Express sequel would go, in terms of the story.

The original tells the story of a young boy who sees a mysterious train on its way to the North Pole stop outside his window and is invited aboard by the conductor. Wikipedia. He goes on a trip with other children to visit Santa Claus and prepare for Christmas.

Goetzman (left), 71, revealed that the film is now being ‘worked out’. The original Polar Express (2004) starred Tom Hanks, 67, (right)

Polar Express initially grossed $286 million against a record budget of $165–170 million, which was the largest amount for an animated film at the time, but ultimately grossed over $314.2 million.

Robert Zemeckis, 71, directed the original Polar Express, but has not yet responded to whether he would return for a sequel; Pictured in 2022

Polar Express was listed in the 2006 Guinness World Records as the first all-digital recording film

Polar Express initially grossed $286 million, against a record budget of $165–170 million, which was the largest amount for an animated film at the time.

In the wake of re-releases, its worldwide box office number skyrocketed to over $314.2 million, and it was later listed in the 2006 Guinness World Records as the first all-digital recording film.

While Goetzman revealed the effort being made to make a sequel to Polar Express, Hanks and Zemeckis have yet to comment on the idea.

Goetzman’s Masters of the Air, which she executive produces with Hanks and Steven Spielberg, premieres on Apple TV+ on January 26.