Jerry Bruckheimer developing Crimson Tide sequel was revealed during his recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, where he shared that the next chapter for the iconic 1995 submarine thriller may soon surface. The original film, released 30 years ago, captivated critics and audiences with its tense undersea standoff and starred Denzel Washington as the principled executive officer.
Bruckheimer Hints at Progress and Creative Team
Bruckheimer indicated that the project is in active development, involving discussions with talented filmmakers. The producer remained tight-lipped about the identities of the director and writer but did confirm their involvement with the navy to explore current underwater dynamics.
“We have a really good director and writer talking to the navy right now about what’s going on under the water,”
—Jerry Bruckheimer, Producer.
As the foundation for the sequel is being laid, Bruckheimer emphasized the significance of a compelling story, especially in hopes of persuading Denzel Washington to reprise his role.
“If we give him a good script, I think he’d do it,”
—Jerry Bruckheimer, Producer. A source close to Washington clarified that his participation depends entirely on the strength of the screenplay, which is still in the development stage.
Returning Cast and New Adversaries
If Denzel Washington agrees to return, he will need to face a new nemesis, as Gene Hackman, who delivered a formidable performance as the commanding officer, passed away in February at age 95. The original creative team has also experienced losses, with director Tony Scott and co-writer Robert Towne both deceased. Bruckheimer reflected on the past collaboration, stating,
“We had Tony Scott, a phenomenal director,”
—Jerry Bruckheimer, Producer. He continued,
“We had Quentin Tarantino and Robert Towne, two of the greatest writers and directors, writing on that movie. … I don’t know if I’ll ever replicate that kind of writing for a film.”
—Jerry Bruckheimer, Producer.
The 1995 film’s script, ultimately credited to Michael Schiffer, underwent notable revisions over a lengthy development process. High-profile actors like Warren Beatty, Al Pacino, Tommy Lee Jones, and Brad Pitt were all considered for major roles alongside Washington and Hackman before the filmmakers settled on the final cast.
Long Road Ahead for the Sequel
Bruckheimer, well-versed in lengthy Hollywood productions, made his disclosure about the Crimson Tide sequel as he promoted the racing drama F1, reuniting him with Brad Pitt and director Joseph Kosinski of Top Gun: Maverick fame. He noted that after a 36-year gap between Top Gun and its sequel with Tom Cruise, he aims for a quicker turnaround this time.
“I can’t talk about [the story] yet, but it’s a real good one,”
—Jerry Bruckheimer, Producer.
While hopes are high for Washington’s return and a strong new cast, Disney, which produced the original Crimson Tide, has not yet commented on the sequel plans. As the script takes shape and casting discussions continue, Bruckheimer’s passion for revisiting stories like Crimson Tide keeps audiences anticipating another deep-sea confrontation.
The prospect of Jerry Bruckheimer developing Crimson Tide sequel signals that decades-old Hollywood properties can still generate intense excitement, especially when stars like Denzel Washington, and names such as Quentin Tarantino and Brad Pitt, remain associated. If the project moves forward, fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see who surfaces for the next underwater drama.
