Variety says Sony Pictures Animation (SPA) is starting production on direct-to-DVD sequel Open Season 2, with a 2009 release likely.
Though Open Season grossed just a so-so $85 million domestically and $105 million overseas, Sony felt the film performed strongly in home video and that, with a good follow-up story, it would help meet the goal of increasing SPA’s output.
“We don’t have a deep bench yet, so we’re certainly looking to have more product available,” said Sony Pictures Digital president Yair Landau. “We felt we had a really fun story and the marketplace wants more ‘Open Season.'”
The sequel will focus on one of the original film’s supporting characters, Mr. Weenie, a domesticated dachshund who escapes to join the rebellion of forest animals.
Sony is still in talks with Open Season‘s lead voices, Martin Lawrence and Ashton Kutcher, and it’s not yet clear whether their characters will appear in the sequel. Mr. Weenie was voiced by Sony animator Cody Cameron.
