What We Know About The Olympus Has Fallen Sequel

So, Olympus Has Fallen. Remember that one? The movie where the White House basically goes bye-bye in a very loud, very explosive way. It was a whole thing. And guess what? Apparently, it wasn't quite enough of a thing, because we’re talking sequels!

Yes, you read that right. They made more movies after that. It’s like, “Okay, the President is safe, the bad guys are defeated, but can we really call it a win if we don’t blow up another landmark?”

The original, Olympus Has Fallen, had our favorite tough guy, Gerard Butler, as Mike Banning. He’s the Secret Service agent who’s good at his job. Really, really good. Like, really good. Especially when it comes to stopping terrorists from taking over the most important building in America.

And let’s be honest, it was pretty darn entertaining. Explosions? Check. Bad guys doing bad things? Check. A hero who just won’t quit? Double-check. It hit all the right buttons for a good old-fashioned action flick.

Now, about the sequels. We’re diving into what we know. And let’s just say, “knowing” in Hollywood can be a slippery concept. It’s more like, “we think we know,” or “this is what they said they were going to do, and then… well, you know how it goes.”

The first sequel was called London Has Fallen. See the pattern? Very creative. This time, the President of the United States, still played by the ever-so-calm Aaron Eckhart, is visiting London for a very important funeral. A funeral for the British Prime Minister, no less. Talk about bad timing for a major terrorist attack.

And who is there to save the day, again? You guessed it. Gerard Butler as Mike Banning. He’s basically the ultimate tourist protector. If you’re a world leader visiting a major capital, and Mike Banning is within a 500-mile radius, you’re probably safe. Probably. Unless, of course, they’re in the middle of the movie.

In London Has Fallen, the city of London experiences… you guessed it… a massive, coordinated attack. Like, all the famous landmarks are targeted. Big Ben? Boom. Buckingham Palace? Kaboom. It’s like a demolition derby for historical sites.

Mike Banning is still the man with the plan. He’s got to get the President out of there, dodge bullets, and generally be a one-man army. It’s a lot of running, a lot of shooting, and a lot of very dramatic moments.

And let’s not forget the humor. It’s not exactly Shakespeare, but there are moments. Mike Banning has this sort of gruff, no-nonsense attitude that can be surprisingly funny. He’s not cracking jokes, but his sheer determination in the face of utter chaos is almost comical.

Now, what about a third one? Because that’s what we’re really curious about, isn’t it? The whispers of a third installment have been around for a while. It’s like the producers are saying, “We’ve conquered America, we’ve conquered Britain, where else can we ‘fall’ next?”

The working title that kept popping up was Angel Has Fallen. Ooh, mysterious. This implies a setting that’s… well, heavenly? Or at least, associated with angels. Given the previous two, I’m picturing a city with a lot of tall buildings and perhaps some very important statues.

The plot, as far as we could piece together from interviews and speculative articles, was supposed to be a little different this time. Instead of Banning saving the President from external threats, he was going to be framed for an attack. Yes, our hero, the guy who always saves everyone, is suddenly the bad guy.

Imagine the audacity! Mike Banning, framed for something terrible. It’s like finding out your dog secretly learned to play the piano and then used it to rob a bank. Utterly unbelievable, and yet… it’s Hollywood.

The idea was that Banning would have to go on the run, prove his innocence, and probably still end up saving the day, because that’s just what he does. It’s his superpower, really. The superpower of being inconveniently heroic.

Gerard Butler was, of course, expected to return. It’s hard to imagine this franchise without him. He is Mike Banning. He’s got that perfect mix of intensity and a slightly dishevelled charm that makes you root for him, even when he’s making questionable decisions like going into a burning building alone.

Other familiar faces were also rumored to be making a comeback. Maybe Morgan Freeman would return as the Speaker of the House, offering some gravitas and booming pronouncements. Or perhaps Aaron Eckhart would pop up in a flashback, reminding us of his presidential days. It’s all about the cameos, really.

The director for Angel Has Fallen was also slated to be the same guy who directed Olympus Has Fallen, Antoine Fuqua. So, we could expect a similar visual style. Lots of gritty realism, fast-paced action, and close-ups of Butler looking very determined.

However, here's where things get a little fuzzy. The production of Angel Has Fallen seemed to be a bit of a rollercoaster. There were reports of script changes, delays, and a general air of “is this actually going to happen?”

And then… surprise! It did happen. Angel Has Fallen was released in 2019. So, all those whispers and rumors? They were actually true. This is where my "unpopular opinion" might come in. Because, and hear me out, while the first two were fun, this one felt… different.

In Angel Has Fallen, Mike Banning is now the Deputy Director of the Secret Service. He’s moved up the ranks, which is nice for him. But then, an assassination attempt on President Alassane Watt (played by Morgan Freeman in a surprising switch, wait, no, that was the previous movie. President Allan Trumbull is played by Morgan Freeman again. Okay, it gets confusing, I admit!) leaves him framed.

This time, the action takes place primarily in Washington D.C. again, but with a new villainous element. Banning is on the run, trying to clear his name and stop the real culprits. It’s a familiar arc, but with a slightly more personal stake.

The movie is filled with the expected action sequences. Car chases, shootouts, and Banning using his wits and brawn to survive. He’s got a new partner in crime, sort of, his estranged father, played by the legendary Nick Nolte. Yes, Nick Nolte! Now that’s a casting choice.

His father is a bit of a recluse, living in the woods, and definitely not thrilled about his son’s career choices. Their dynamic is supposed to be a key element of the film, adding a layer of family drama to the usual espionage thrills.

So, what do we really know about these sequels? We know that Gerard Butler is the undisputed king of the “fallen” franchise. We know that whenever a major city or landmark is involved, you can expect a whole lot of chaos. And we know that Mike Banning will always, always, be there to clean up the mess, even if he has to take the blame for it first.

My unpopular opinion? While the first one set a high bar for pure, unadulterated action, the sequels found a way to keep it going. They added new twists, like Banning being the target, and brought in some great supporting actors like Nick Nolte. Are they groundbreaking cinema? Probably not. But are they entertaining? Absolutely.

They’re the cinematic equivalent of a really good comfort food. You know what you’re getting, and it always hits the spot. So, if you’re looking for a movie night that’s guaranteed to involve explosions, a stoic hero, and a healthy dose of improbable survival, you know where to look.

The Olympus Has Fallen universe, or should I say, the Fallen universe, has more stories to tell. And as long as there are important buildings and important people to protect (or frame), you can bet Mike Banning will be there, probably looking a bit more battered than when he started.

It’s a formula that works. It’s a character that resonates. And honestly, who wouldn’t want to see Gerard Butler single-handedly saving the world, again and again? It’s aspirational, in a very loud, very violent kind of way.

So, while we wait to see if any other capitals are going to “fall” in future installments, we can rest assured that the spirit of Mike Banning, the ultimate protector (and accidental fugitive), lives on. And that, my friends, is something to cheer about. Or at least, something to watch with a big bowl of popcorn.