The Shield/Dexter Writers Hired for Hancock Sequel

Despite its worldwide $624 million cash-in, reactions to the offbeat superhero flick, Hancock, boiled down to a humdrum murmur, and maybe this is why producers have been a little sluggish about its follow-up. It wasn't bad and it wasn't great, which means now is the perfect opportunity for producers Michael Mann and Akiva Goldsman to make a sequel that is better than their original.

Columbia Pictures hired the writing duo of The Shield and Dexter, Adam Fierro (also a writer for 24) and Glen Mazzara, to pen the script for Hancock's second installation. The pair will work with Will Smith and director Peter Berg to spin the next yarn, a story that will continue in the frenzied world of covert gods and goddesses. The plot will also include the return of Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman.

Originally titled Tonight He Comes, Hancock was 12 years in the making before its 2008 release. It attracted a splurge of bad reviews, but still managed to meet its Will Smith-blockbusting quota in the box office.

Related links:
News: Writers Already Set For Fifth And Sixth Spider-Man Movies
News: Mike Judge, Jason Bateman Team Up for New Office Comedy
News: Will Smith And Steven Spielberg in Talks to Remake Oldboy

Got news tips for Paste? E-mail news@pastemagazine.com.