Vin Diesel’s Critically Panned Film Is Returning for a Surprising Sequel

Lionsgate is moving forward with a sequel to the 2015 fantasy action film, The Last Witch Hunter, with Vin Diesel set to return as Kaulder, the immortal witch hunter.

The project is being developed in partnership with Diesel’s One Race Films, and though a deal is not yet finalized, Michael Caine is expected to reprise his role as Dolan.

The original film, which follows Kaulder as he battles deadly witch covens threatening humanity, grossed $130 million worldwide but received mostly negative reviews from critics.

On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an 18% rating, while Metacritic scores it 34 out of 100. Despite its critical reception, The Last Witch Hunter has found a new audience in streaming markets, recently ranking among the top five most-watched films on Netflix.

Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group, highlighted the enduring interest in the film’s world, saying, “The Last Witch Hunter has grown since its theatrical release into a global fan favorite, with audiences continuing to discover and re-watch it across every platform over the past decade.”

“That enduring enthusiasm made clear there is an appetite for more stories set in this world. Vin and I have partnered many times over the years, and he is a true force in our industry. I’m thrilled to be reuniting with him as he returns to this iconic role, and excited by how advancements in filmmaking technology now allow us to economically deliver a sequel on an even more ambitious scale.” He said.

The sequel is expected to benefit from new technology, allowing for more efficient production and higher-quality visual effects. Lionsgate hopes the follow-up will build on the first film’s fantasy spectacle elements while appealing to both longtime fans and new audiences.

The Last Witch Hunter was originally directed by Breck Eisner and written by Cory Goodman, Matt Sazama, and Burk Sharpless.

While critics were mostly unimpressed, some reviews acknowledged its entertainment value. BuzzFeed News’ Alison Willmore described it as “terrible. It is fabulously entertaining,” while Simon Abrams of RogerEbert.com called it “atypically dopey but consummately well-assembled” and praised Diesel’s performance as “especially charming.”

With the sequel now in development, Lionsgate is betting that Diesel’s star power and the film’s streaming popularity will translate into another successful chapter in the witch hunter’s story.

It’s fascinating to see a film that was critically panned getting a sequel because it proves that audience engagement and streaming success can outweigh negative reviews. I’m curious what readers think, are you excited to see Vin Diesel back as Kaulder, or do you think the franchise should have ended with the first movie? Share your thoughts in the comments.