{"id":434392,"date":"2026-02-19T15:37:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T15:37:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/434392\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T15:37:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T15:37:09","slug":"gerard-butlers-first-rate-action-thriller-is-no-longer-getting-a-sequel-heres-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/434392\/","title":{"rendered":"Gerard Butler&#8217;s &#8220;first-rate&#8221; action-thriller is no longer getting a sequel \u2013 here&#8217;s why"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"3\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Gerard Butler&#8217;s action thriller Plane is no longer getting a sequel, according to his co-star. The original 2023 film follows Butler&#8217;s commercial pilot character as he teams up with a suspected murderer after an emergency landing, with the two trying to save passengers in hostile territory.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"9\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Shortly after it was released, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/movies\/a42864674\/gerard-butler-mike-colter-plane-sequel-ship\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/movies\/a42864674\/gerard-butler-mike-colter-plane-sequel-ship\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"sequel called Ship was announced\" data-node-id=\"9.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">sequel called Ship was announced<\/a>, with fellow lead Mike Colter due to return and Butler back in a producing role.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"13\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">However, Colter has now confirmed that the project is dead in the water, with Butler pulling the plug just weeks before a filming start date.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"18\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">&#8220;It just, last-minute, Gerard [Butler] decided he didn\u2019t want to go forward with it and there wasn\u2019t a lot of discussion about it,&#8221; he told <a href=\"https:\/\/thedirect.com\/article\/plane-2-gerard-butler-cancelled\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/thedirect.com\/article\/plane-2-gerard-butler-cancelled\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"The Direct\" data-node-id=\"18.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The Direct<\/a>. &#8220;He just\u2026 two weeks out, he pulled out and we were sort of left trying to figure out what to do. And eventually, that dissolved.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"22\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Opening up further about the story plans, Colter shared that the sequel was &#8220;basically picking up where we left off, what happened to that character, and how\u2019d he get off the island&#8221;, adding that he &#8220;was excited about it&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"mike colter, gerard butler, plane\" title=\"Mike Colter, Gerard Butler, Plane\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/mike-colter-gerard-butler-plane-6870c80f4a479.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1g79fud0\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Lionsgate<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"27\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tech\/best-tech-deals\/g35899960\/best-streaming-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tech\/best-tech-deals\/g35899960\/best-streaming-services\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Best streaming services\" data-node-id=\"27.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Best streaming services<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"31\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">It was previously confirmed that Ship would see Colter&#8217;s character Louis Gaspare board a cargo ship to escape the Philippines, though he quickly discovers that it is being used for human trafficking.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"35\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">The story would find him teaming up with the second mate to take down the ring, as well as confront the corrupt captain and free the victims.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"39\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Plane, which sits at a 78% fresh score on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rottentomatoes.com\/m\/plane\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.rottentomatoes.com\/m\/plane\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Rotten Tomatoes\" data-node-id=\"39.2\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Rotten Tomatoes<\/a>, was called a &#8220;first-rate action thriller&#8221; that &#8220;breathlessly packs its punches in spades&#8221; by the <a href=\"https:\/\/observer.com\/2023\/01\/plane-review-a-first-rate-action-thriller\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/observer.com\/2023\/01\/plane-review-a-first-rate-action-thriller\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Observer\" data-node-id=\"39.4\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Observer<\/a>: &#8220;It\u2019s a satisfying rush of suspenseful excitement that is several notches above its competitors in the same genre.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"plane starring gerard butler and mike colter\" title=\"Plane starring Gerard Butler and Mike Colter\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1425\" height=\"591\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/plane-mike-colter-1667060035.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1g79fud0\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Lionsgate<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"44\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/movies\/a29669\/uk-film-release-dates\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/movies\/a29669\/uk-film-release-dates\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"UK film release dates: Find out when all the latest movies are coming to cinemas\" data-node-id=\"44.0.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">UK film release dates: Find out when all the latest movies are coming to cinemas<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"48\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\"><a href=\"https:\/\/eu.detroitnews.com\/story\/entertainment\/movies\/2023\/01\/11\/plane-flies-high-despite-offensively-generic-title\/69799535007\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/eu.detroitnews.com\/story\/entertainment\/movies\/2023\/01\/11\/plane-flies-high-despite-offensively-generic-title\/69799535007\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Detroit News\" data-node-id=\"48.0\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Detroit News<\/a> wrote: &#8220;Sections of the movie recall Die Hard 2 in the best way possible, as Plane delivers thrills and excitement that belie its generic title.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"52\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">However, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.empireonline.com\/movies\/reviews\/plane\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.empireonline.com\/movies\/reviews\/plane\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Empire\" data-node-id=\"52.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Empire<\/a> was less positive, saying: &#8220;As that Ronseal title suggests, Plane is rarely on the good side of trash. But at least Gerard Butler and Mike Colter offer some solid action-star appeal.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"57\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">The new edition of Living Legends, a 100-page all-colour celebration of Taylor Swift, is here! <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hearstmagazines.co.uk\/livilgtaylorswift\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.hearstmagazines.co.uk\/livilgtaylorswift\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Buy Taylor in newsagents or online\" data-node-id=\"57.3\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Buy Taylor in newsagents or online<\/a>, priced at just \u00a38.99.<\/p>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1771515429_844_0a81bfbe-1026-4736-8d8a-d20144e2ec87_1551709595.png\" alt=\"Headshot of Sam Warner\" title=\"Headshot of Sam Warner\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"css-o0wq4v ev8dhu53\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/movies\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">movies<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">TV<\/a> and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/author\/samwarner\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NME<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.screendaily.com\/sam-warner\/1100838.contributor\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Screen International<\/a>. \u00a0Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/lord-of-the-rings\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Lord of the Rings<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/love-is-blind\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Love Is Blind<\/a>, and is equally in his element crossing every &#8216;t&#8217; and dotting every &#8216;i&#8217; as a sub-editor.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Gerard Butler&#8217;s action thriller Plane is no longer getting a sequel, according to his co-star. The original 2023&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":434393,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[147950,379,158625,381,96,1156,2839,158624,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-434392","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-movies","8":"tag-collection-latest-news","9":"tag-content-type-news","10":"tag-contentid-81aefef8-d9ff-4bc0-a324-42df1293d3d4","11":"tag-displaytype-standard-article","12":"tag-entertainment","13":"tag-locale-gb","14":"tag-movies","15":"tag-shorttitle-gerard-butler-action-thriller-no-longer-getting-sequel","16":"tag-uk","17":"tag-united-kingdom","18":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/434392","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=434392"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/434392\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/434393"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=434392"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=434392"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=434392"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}