Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for the new Netflix action movieBack In Action!Seth Gordon, director of theNetflix spy movieBack in Action,has teased how the movie’s cliffhanger ending sets up a potential sequel. Serving to reunite leading stars Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz, Gordon’s star-studded action movie made its worldwide streaming debut on January 17. Following the exploits of two former CIA operatives whose family is placed in jeopardy, theBack in Actioncastalso features Glenn Close as Diaz’s estranged mother and former MI-6 agent. However, during the movie’s final moments, Diaz’s character is also tasked with seeking out and recruiting her mysterious father.
Speaking withEntertainment WeeklyaboutBack in Action’srecent streaming release, Gordon revealed how hismovie’s ending leads into a potential sequel and his plans for casting the missing father. Explaining that while there is“certainly an idea”about a possible continuation and who Diaz’s father could be, Netflix is still yet to acknowledge whether or not a sequel will occur. He said:
There’s certainly an idea about who the dad could be and what the whole story could be about. [Netflix] won’t even acknowledge the idea of a sequel yet! So if you put in a good word, maybe there’s a chance.
As for the potential direction ofBack in Action 2, Gordon explains that he is interested in exploring moments when the lives of Diaz’s and Foxx’s teenage children begin to directly conflict with their history of working in espionage. He also suggested thatany sequel would show both kids at a later point in their schooling, admitting that Rylan Jackson, who plays the couple’s son Leo, is now much taller than he was during filming the first movie:
What I’m leaning towards is there’s these moments where family comes in, and the events of a teenager’s life come in conflict with someone’s background as a spy. I feel like there’s a few opportunities or landmarks that we can build on from their lives.
I’ll tell you that Leo, who is based on my son, in the course of [filming], he’s now nine or 10 inches taller than he was. His voice has dropped, so it wouldn’t be picking up the next day. I think we would honor the truth of the timeline of their lives and show another event, sort of later in high school, for both of them. But I tried to [weave] in the first one that Leo shows these moments of promise [and] ability.
As for who could play Diaz’s father and the ex-husband of Close’s Ginny, Gordon also suggested thathe too would likely come from a background in espionage, and being British there are “certain people that you could consider” for the role. Check out the rest of what Gordon shared about a potential sequel below:
I think you got to believe that she met him somewhere through work. It wouldn’t be bad if he were also British. You’d have to believe that guy holding a gun. So there are certain people that you could consider for that part. We’ve definitely got some creative thoughts.
What Gordon’s Comments Suggest About Back In Action 2’s Possible Casting
There’s Only One British Spy Worthy Of Being Emily’s Father
Whilethe ending ofBack in Actionsees Foxx’s and Diaz’s family return to their suburban lives, it is clear thattheir past will continue to haunt them moving forward. Not only does Andrew Scott’s MI-6 agent task Diaz’s Emily with tracking down her father, but he also reveals that the body of the movie’s primary villain was unable to be recovered, hinting at his continued survival.
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As such, it would seem that Emily’s father will play a significant role in anypotentialBack in Actionsequel, and his connection with the clandestine world of spycraft will feature heavily in selecting the most appropriate actor. Much as Gordon points out, the idea ofa former British secret agent automatically brings to mind several key names, foremost among them likely being previous James Bond actors Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan.
Our Take On Back In Action 2 Bringing In A Former Bond
Gordon Also Has A Long List Of Bond Villains To Choose From
While there are other fictional British spies in the pop culture landscape aside from the infamous 007, his character is undoubtedly the most recognizable. As such, Gordon would be wise to attempt to intertwine his own growing spy franchise with the world’s most celebrated example of the genre. Moreover, while Dalton and Brosnan would both be amazing picks to play Emily’s father, Gordon could also potentially tap into the large assortment of previous Bond villains, and other picks such asGoldenEye’sSean Bean to join his potentialBack in Actionsequel.
Back in Action
Cast
Back in Action follows former CIA operatives Emily and Matt, who are thrust back into espionage years after retiring to raise a family. Released on July 05, 2025, the film unravels their return to the clandestine world when their identities are exposed.
