If there’s any proof that fate has a sense of humor, it’ll come when Boondock Saints 3 starts rolling its cameras. The first film was a sleeper hit that was so perfect in its ridiculousness and bloodshed that it was impossible for it not to earn a dedicated audience. When a sequel didn’t come, but a lawsuit against Franchise Pictures did, director Troy Duffy became something of a legend. His low budget feature had scored big with video sales, but Duffy was also used as an example of what not to do when finding Hollywood success in the documentary Overnight where he acts like a complete jackwagon to his close friends and business associates.
The noise calling for a sequel was deafening, but Duffy was unable to make it happen until ten years later. Unfortunately, Boondock 2: All Saints Day was the terrible kind of ridiculous, and it alienated all but the most hardcore of fans. Still, it also did pretty damned well in video sales.
Now that almost no one is calling for a third entry, star Norman Reedus says it might happen. In an interview with IFC, the actor said, “I’m meeting with Sean [Patrick Flanery] and Troy [Duffy] tonight. I just landed a couple hours ago and tonight I’m going over to Troy’s house with Sean. It’s definitely in the works. Look for it. It’s gonna be crazy.”
So when we all scream for something, it doesn’t come. When we don’t, it does. Such is life.
It’s unclear whether Duffy, Reedus and Flanery can make what I’m calling Boondock 3: When the Saints Come Marching In happen, but it’s not like they’ve ever relied on the studio system. It’s been an underground franchise all the way, so there’s got to be some enterprising indie out there that wants to capitalize and sees the risk of diminished returns as acceptable in the face of another potential $50m in video sales.
Start saying your prayers.