Nobody 3: Odenkirk Teases Darkest Action Film Yet!

Thescreescore – Despite the considerable success of his action-thriller franchise, acclaimed actor Bob Odenkirk finds himself awaiting a definitive green light for Nobody 3. Odenkirk, who both produces and stars as the seemingly unassuming family man Hutch Mansell – a character whose dormant past as a lethal government operative resurfaces – has been a driving force behind the Nobody series, which hails from John Wick creator Derek Kolstad. Following a four-year hiatus, the saga returned in mid-2025 with Nobody 2, a film that garnered respectable critical acclaim and achieved moderate commercial success.

During a red carpet interview with Ash Crossan at the recent Saturn Awards, Odenkirk addressed the burning question regarding the future of the Nobody universe. The two-time Emmy winner affirmed his personal vision, stating, "I do have ideas" for potentially two more installments. However, he candidly admitted, "I don’t know that I’ll get to do it," indicating that the decision rests with Universal Pictures. Expressing his commitment, Odenkirk assured that he would "do what they want" to bring another chapter to fruition, even offering a tantalizing glimpse into his conceptual framework for the next film.

Odenkirk elaborated on his creative inclinations: "People liked Nobody 2 a lot, it made a lot of people happy. I tried to present a more — well, Timo Tjahjanto made it very bloody. [Chuckles] But I wanted to lean in the direction of Jackie Chan, so we had the duck boat fight… but it could go really dark, is one thought I have. Like, the darkest, violent film you’ve ever seen or thought. But then they might say, ‘Don’t do that to your audience, there’s so many people who are enjoying Nobody in a wider context.’" This suggests a potential tonal shift, weighing the appeal of extreme violence against the broader audience enjoyment.

Nobody 2, which saw the return of key cast members Connie Nielsen, Christopher Lloyd, and RZA, didn’t quite replicate the surprise box office sensation of its predecessor. Critically, it maintained a strong showing, securing a 76% "Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a commendable score not far removed from the original’s 83%. Financially, however, the sequel faced a tougher challenge, grossing just over $43 million globally against a production budget of $27 million. While not a drastic drop from the first Nobody‘s $57.5 million haul, the increased budget, coupled with the industry standard of needing to earn 2.5 times the budget to break even (accounting for marketing and theatrical cuts), places Nobody 2 below profitability and behind the original’s margin.

Despite these box office metrics, the franchise’s cumulative global earnings now comfortably exceed the $100 million mark, keeping the prospect of Nobody 3 very much alive. Universal Pictures appears keen on maintaining its collaborative relationship with 87North Productions, a partnership that has flourished for four consecutive years, notably with Violent Night and its upcoming sequel slated for December. Furthermore, 87North has five other projects in various stages of development with Universal, including the highly anticipated Gears of War adaptation.

The narrative conclusion of Nobody 2 also deliberately leaves ample room for a subsequent installment. A significant unresolved plot point is the substantial debt Hutch owes to Colin Salmon’s character, The Barber, following Hutch’s destruction of money belonging to the Russian obshchak. Although The Barber temporarily distanced himself from Hutch during his confrontation with Sharon Stone’s Lendina, this outstanding obligation presents a compelling reason for Hutch to be drawn back into action.

Another avenue for Nobody 3 to expand upon the established lore is a deeper dive into the backstory of Hutch and Becca. The 2025 sequel offered glimpses into their initial meeting, revealing Hutch covered in blood post-mission, and also showcased Nielsen’s character possessing her own formidable combat skills. A third film could not only elaborate on their shared history but potentially see Becca transitioning professions to actively join Hutch on his perilous assignments.

While no official confirmation has been made, Odenkirk’s contemplation of a darker direction for Nobody 3 marks a shift from his earlier pronouncements, where he expressed a desire to preserve the franchise’s family dynamic. Given that the 2025 sequel depicted Hutch struggling to compartmentalize his violent past and prevent his rage from spilling into his domestic life, a third film could plausibly explore the increasingly grim consequences for the Mansell family, pushing the boundaries of the action genre into truly unsettling territory.