It is now almost 20 years since Napoleon Dynamite premiered and it is now regarded as a real cult classic. Fans have also longed for a sequel for years, but so far nothing has happened. Now the discussion is up again since the lead actor, Jon Heder was on hand at Pittsburgh’s Steel City Con. He got the question there via Comic Book how he approaches a potential sequel. His answer was somewhat floating, where on the one hand he thinks that sequels to older films have generally been a bad idea but where he personally would have liked to make more Napoleon Dynamite. In his own words:
“There’s no official statement right now. Would you want a Napoleon sequel? You don’t think it would be ruined? The track record for most of these old cult films getting a sequel or reboot is iffy… I personally would love to do more Napoleon stuff. I would love to.”
He then went on to elaborate on his opinion, explaining that he definitely doesn’t think the door is closed on any kind of sequel. Then whether it will be a film or a series is more unclear. He also addressed the animated series and how well it turned out and how it could be a way to continue the story:
“I don’t think the book of Napoleon is closed forever. I honestly think there’s gonna be something — whether it’s a sequel, or a TV show, or another animated show. Did you guys see the animated series? It’s pretty good. That’s your sequel, right there. We had the original cast back, it was awesome. It just goes to show that because we had that show, it means there’s more out there I honestly think you could do.”
Another thing that could influence the decision in a positive direction for those who want to see more Napoleon Dynamite is Disney’s acquisition of Fox a number of years ago. Namely, Heder took the opportunity to throw a boot at Disney, how they tend to want to make money on everything and that they might be eager to cash in on a sequel:
“Now that Fox properties are owned by Disney, we know how Disney feels about cashing in on everything that’s ever been made. So you never know. Maybe we’ll be back. I honestly don’t think it’s dead. There’s gotta be something .”
But if it would actually happen, in that case it would take place in the present, if Heder himself had to decide, and not a return to high school or the like, where middle-aged people run around pretending to still be young:
“In my personal opinion, if there was a Napoleon sequel, it would have to be real time. We wouldn’t do, ‘It’s senior year, and it’s a bunch of 40-year-olds pretending they’re still in high school .’ If it was coming from me — I don’t know how much they’re going to listen to me — but prepare yourselves, it’s gonna be dark.”
Maybe there will be a sequel in the end anyway. Hope lives on anyway.
Are you hungry for more Napoleon Dynamite?
