"Sometimes Things Should Just Be Left": Rebecca Ferguson Addresses Sequel Hopes For 2017 Oscar-Nominated Movie

Rebecca Ferguson is now widely known for a variety of different titles in the movie and TV world, but she's still arguably most associated with the Mission: Impossible franchise. She first played spy Ilsa Faust in 2015's Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, returning to play the character in franchise sequels in 2018 and 2023. In between franchise installments, however, Ferguson has appeared in some memorable projects and branched beyond the world of the Tom Cruise action franchise.

Ferguson can currently be seen, for example, in the Apple TV+ show Silo, and she's now arguably just as well known for playing Lady Jessica in Dune (2021) and the acclaimed Dune: Part Two (2024) as she is for playing Ilsa. In addition to Mike Flanagan's underrated Doctor Sleep from 2019, Ferguson also starred in a 2017 musical from director Michael Gracey. The film was a major hit, and there has been continued buzz online about a sequel, including from one of its stars.

The Actor Isn't Enthusiastic About A Sequel

Ferguson shares her candid thoughts regarding a potential sequel to The Greatest Showman . Starring Hugh Jackman as P.T. Barnum, the film chronicles Barnum's creation of a stage show that becomes a worldwide sensation, with Ferguson costarring as Jenny Lind, a famous Swedish singer. The musical, which is loosely based on real events and people, was a major success with audiences and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. The Greatest Showman 2 hasn't been confirmed, but Jackman did reveal in 2022 that he would be open to returning.

Related The Greatest Showman 2 Would Be A Mistake The Greatest Showman took the world by storm in 2017, it would be a mistake to bring Hugh Jackman back as the charismatic P.T. Barnum in a sequel.

During a recent interview with Collider, Ferguson is asked for her thoughts on a potential sequel to The Greatest Showman, and she doesn't seem too excited by the idea. After suggesting that the movie is best left as a one-off, the actor jokes that she could return in the sequel as a totally different character. Check out Ferguson's comment below:

“No! Stop that. Come on! Sometimes things should just be left — also because I’d be jealous. I feel like my character was kind of cast aside. I’ll come back as a juggler.”

Jackman and Ferguson reunited in 2021 for the poorly-reviewed Reminiscence, a sci-fi thriller.

What Hugh Jackman Has Said About A Sequel

Made on an estimated budget of $84 million, The Greatest Showman grossed an impressive $434 million worldwide, making it an undeniable hit. Jackman spoke about the prospect of The Greatest Showman 2 earlier this year in an interview with E! News, revealing that he's willing to reprise his role but that it could take some time: “The first one took us eight years. Maybe we started five years ago, and it’s gonna be another nine years. [But] I love that movie, and I loved everything about it. So yeah, I’m open.”

The Greatest Showman Key Scores Rotten Tomatoes Critics' Score Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score Est. Budget Box Office 56% 86% $84 million $434 million

Ferguson, however, definitely seems less interested in revisiting the franchise. For those who do want to see The Greatest Showman 2, the good news is that Ferguson probably wouldn't have to be involved for it work. Jackman is really the centerpiece of that story, and his involvement could be enough to get a sequel off the ground. Still, though, it sounds like a sequel to The Greatest Showman won't be arriving any time soon, and if it does, audiences shouldn't expect to see Ferguson back as Jenny.

In addition to Jackman and Ferguson, The Greatest Showman cast includes Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Zendaya, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.

What Rebecca Ferguson Is Doing Next

The Greatest Showman Star Has Some Exciting Projects On The Horizon

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Though it doesn't seem like Ferguson will be back for any continuation of The Greatest Showman, the actor is still set to be a mainstay of TV and movie screens in the years ahead. She can currently be seen as the star of Silo season 2, with new episodes of that releasing on Apple TV+ every Friday. The show's sophomore outing has been well-received by critics, and Ferguson, as well as show creator Graham Yost, have expressed interest in concluding that show with season 4, meaning a few more years of Silo are likely to come.

In the world of movies, Ferguson is expected to reprise her role as Lady Jessica in Denis Villeneuve's announced Dune: Part Three. The film does not currently have an official release date, but an untitled Villeneuve movie is scheduled for December 18, 2026, and it's possible that the threequel will fill this spot.

Related Rebecca Ferguson's Returning Sci-Fi Show With 88% On RT Highlights The Dune Franchise's Biggest Mistake Apart from being in 2 Hollywood action franchises, Rebecca Ferguson also stars in the hit Apple sci-fi series Silo which returns for a second season.

Outside this major franchise, Ferguson will appear opposite Christ Pratt in a sci-fi thriller called Mercy, which is due out next year. She will also play a prominent role opposite Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy in the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie at Netflix. In addition, she will star opposite Andrew Garfield in The Magic Faraway Tree, based on the novel series by Enid Blyton, as well as an untitled thriller from Kathryn Bigelow, which reportedly follows staff in the White House as they prepare for an impending missile strike on America.

Does The Movie Need A Sequel?

The Greatest Showman may have been a commercial success, but that doesn't mean it warrants a sequel. In the age of Hollywood IP mining, where theaters are filled with endless sequels and reboots, it would be more exciting to see Jackman and Ferguson collaborate on something entirely new. That being said, it's clear that The Greatest Showman connected with audiences upon its release in 2017, and it certainly looks possible that fans of the original will eventually get to see Jackman back as Barnum for another musical adventure.

Source: Collider