Another MIDNIGHT RUN for Universal and De Niro

Universal Studios is in the process of developing a sequel to Midnight Run, with Robert De Niro set to star.  De Niro will return as Jack Walsh, a bounty hunter tasked in the original film with escorting an embezzler across the country.  According to The Hollywood Reporter, the sequel will pair De Niro’s character with a “younger comedic foil.”  Timothy Dowling, who recently penned Role Models and the upcoming Knight and Day and She’s Out of My League, will write the script. De Niro will produce the film along with Jane Rosenthal of Tribeca Films.  The original 1988 action comedy, though not a huge commercial success, was critically well-received and it’s considered a classic among film buffs.

As a huge fan of Midnight Run, both Universal and De Niro are playing with fire when talking about making a sequel.  If they can come up with a story that justifies why a sequel needs to be made, I’m open to it.  But if the sequel does anything to damage the original film like the prequels did to Star Wars, I hope they just leave it alone.