Get ready to jump back in time with a SOURCE CODE sequel

My favourite genre of movie is science-fiction, without a doubt. Better than that is science-fiction time-travel which plays with your mind. One such movie that filled that check-list was the 2011 Duncan “Moon” Jones directed Source Code. That Jake Gyllenhaal starrer earned a very respectable $201 million off just a $30 million budget, so it wasn’t too much of a surprise to hear the recent news that a TV series spinoff was in the works (one in which Jones supposedly had zero involvement).

But now, out of the proverbial blue, comes word that a feature film sequel is also in development, and once again Jones is not on board. Variety reports that the original producers (Vendome Pictures and the Mark Gordon Company) have chosen TV director Anna Foerster to direct the time-travel sequel. Foerster hasn’t really helmed any major feature films before, but she’s certainly no newcomer behind the camera, having recently directed a 4-episode stint on Starz’s Outlander as well as helming several episodes of NBC’s popular Criminal Minds. She’s also served as cinematographer on White House Down,and second-unit director on 10,000 AD and The Day After Tomorrow, as well as visual effects DP on several major titles like Independence Day, Godizilla, Pitch Black, Kate & Leopold, End of Days and more. So clearly, while Foerster may not have the sci-fi wunderkind status of Jones, she’s no slouch either.

While it’s been confirmed that original screenwriter Ben Ripley is once again penning the sequel, there’s no word yet on whether any of the cast would return, or if this would be related to the work-in-progress TV series at all. The original saw Gyllenhaal star as a soldier sent back in time by a shady Vera Farmigia and Jeffrey Wright to prevent a disaster. The catch? Well he is destined to repeat the same eight minute loop over and over until he gets it right.

When I first watched it I couldn’t help note the similarity between Groundhog Day and 12 Monkeys (the latter of which is jumping to the small screen) but had no problems with that (neither does Rotten Tomatoes which is sitting with Source Code at a rather respectable 92%). With the very capable Gyllenhaal and always charming Michelle Monaghan in the lead, the movie was intriguing till the final moments. If Gyllenhaal and co were not to return though, who would you like to see in the lead?

Last Updated: December 3, 2014