'Hancock 2' Gets New Writers

Two writers have been hired by Columbia to pen a sequel to the Will Smith superhero movie "Hancock," which grossed $624million worldwide last year.

The two writers Sony has brought on-board for "Hancock 2" are Adam Fierro and Glen Mazzara, both writers of "The Shield." The pair’s producing credits include other such TV work such as "24," "Dexter" and "Nash Bridges."

The original producing team is expected to return, although it hasn't been confirmed whether director Peter Berg will be back to helm this one. We are sure, though, that they wouldn't be moving forward if they weren't able to get Will Smith back as Hancock, so he's probably returning.

Plot details are being kept under wraps, though the writers will work with Smith and director Peter Berg to build on the world hinted at in the first movie.

The original starred Smith as a boozy, irresponsible superhero who turns his life around with the help of a public relations expert. It later is revealed that the hero is part of a line of god-like beings who have been around for more than 3,000 years and lose their powers when close to fellow immortals.

In the first film, Hancock discovers his superhuman soulmate is Mary Embrey (Charlize Theron), the wife of publicist Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman) who has given the hero an image makeover.

Hancock, originally titled Tonight He Comes, took more than 12 years to make it to the screen; the sequel will be on a faster track.
Peter Berg recently spoke to SCI FI Wire about his ideas for a sequel, confirming that it would elaborate on the film's mythology.

"There might be another god out there," Berg said. "Might be another one."

Berg added that the subplot of publicist Ray Embrey should pick up where it left off in Hancock, where he's starting his charity campaign.

But Berg said it wasn't possible to leap straight back in to "Hancock 2": "They like to fast-track it, but Will's busy, I'm pretty busy. We're excited to do one, but we want the script to be right and the movie to be right. We don't feel a burning imperative to go right back into it."

What do you think of the two writers that have been hired for the sequel to "Hancock"? Are you surprised the studio is pushing forward so quickly with this one?

"Hancock 2" is currently in the development stages and doesn’t have a planned release date yet.

More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: THR, Screen Rant, First Showing, The Geek Files, SCI FI Wire