Storytelling in Black films has been increasingly transformative over the years. From authentic depictions of our neighborhoods in films like Do the Right Thing and moving portrayals of protective big brothers like Stacey in The Wood, Black cinema is felt. The on-screen narratives are ours, and naturally we want more of that representation for generations to come. Thankfully, in the era of remakes, reboots and sequels, our beloved classics like Boomerang, ATL and even Space Jam are being revived with generally warm reception.
Let’s admit it, there are some films we never want to see. In fact, there is a handful we’d like to un-see them (looking at you, Honey and Baggage Claim). But while LeBron James and SpringHill Entertainment are funding reboots to our fave ’80s-to-early-aughts cinema treasures, here are 6 Black film sequels they should considering producing.
1) Love Jones 2: Still Jonesin’
Darius Lovehall and Nina Mosley were friends with benefits before plenty of us knew what the hell that even meant in the 90s classic Love Jones. In a second go ‘round, ditch the classic rom-com ending and dig into the split. What happens when romance doesn’t blossom and forever don’t last? Nina, or both lovebirds, are settled into their respective lives and riddled with memories of the one that got away. Perhaps, they run into one another several years and kids later. Is their love still “urgent like a motherf*cka”? It’s a bit of a darker, more unpredictable ending to steamy, optimistic tale, but would be well worth the on-screen emotional rollercoaster. (We’re ignoring reports that a sequel will likely never happen.)
2) Something New Too
Stepping outside of your dating comfort zone is often a nerve-wracking spectacle. One we got to see Kenya McQueen (Sanaa Lathan) endure as she fell unexpectedly in love with Brian Kelly, a white man (side-eyes from strangers in grocery stores included) in Something New. In the aftermath, Kenya married Kelly, but picture this: The Kelly family, complete with biracial babies, are now hopping over new hurdles, such as of the nation’s current racial tension. Is her white bae woke enough to understand the Black Lives Matter movement? Do they agree on how to raise mixed kids in 2018? See. We need answers.
3) Save Another Dance
The early aughts gifted us with peak dance films. But 2001’s Save the Last Dance two-stepped so that Stomp The Yard and the Step Up franchise could truly get down. Sara (Julia Stiles) and Derek (Sean Patrick Thomas) were from opposite sides of the tracks and dance worlds, but of course, love brought them together and the rest is movie history. Following the finale of the first installment, Sara and Derek help Chenille’s (Kerry Washington) son break into the ballet world. But growing up in Southside Chicago doesn’t afford him much support while he faces a heap of racial and gender bias. Be prepared for a little Center Stage meets Billy Elliott tease for this Black blockbuster.
4) Set It Up
There’ve been rumblings about a remake for the all-girl crime classic Set It Off. But a sequel would finally give former audiences some closure. Jada Pinkett’s Stony deserves a bright future that viewers can feast on. While the rest of them met a harsh death (R.I.P. Cleo, Frankie and T.T.), Stony finds peace in Mexico. That is until another opportunity to get rich (or die tryin’ literally) arises with Keith Weston (Blair Underwood) back on her trail. Knowing how unhappily ever after an ending to robbing a bank can be, is she willing to set it off again?
5) The Sisters
OK, maybe the sequel to The Brothers shouldn’t have a title that’s so on the nose, but the ladies need to give some perspective on this male-centric Black love plot. With the script flipped in part two, the film would detail the journey of the women, including Sheila (Tamala Jones), BeBe (Susan Dalian) and Brian’s (Bill Bellamy) harem of women through love and life leading up to Denise and Jackson’s wedding day, played by Gabrielle Union and Morris Chestnut respectively.
6) Next Christmas
Black Christmas movies are often underrated among its rom-com and drama film counterparts, but Will Packer’s 2007 holiday hit This Christmas proves that they can hold their own. Does Lisa have a new lady partner? Check. Are Kelli and Gerald expecting? Check. Has Quentin settled down yet? Well, we’ll just have to wait for the sequel to see.
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