10 Cloverfield Lane might not be a sequel to Cloverfield , but it's as close as fans are going to get. The found-footage monster movie that made some audiences sick in their seats has finally received a follow up, only with completely different characters, a different tone, different cast, and new monsters. All this to ensure that 10 Cloverfield Lane was, as producer of both films J.J. Abrams put it, a "blood relative" to Cloverfield, not a sequel. The two movies don't share much, but one thing they do have in common, besides the "Cloverfield" title, is a cliffhanger ending. Both films end leaving viewers with more questions than answers, leaving the door wide open for potential sequels. With the box office success of 10 Cloverfield Lane and moviegoer's enthusiasm for sequels, what would a 10 Cloverfield Lane sequel be like?
First, there's the matter of another movie even being made. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly , Abrams admitted that he did have an idea for a third Cloverfield film, saying, "I would be lying if I didn't say there was something else that, if we're lucky enough to do it, could be really cool that connects some stories." Yet while it's good to hear that a third Cloverfield movie is not too farfetched, what it could be about is anybody's guess. The script that became 10 Cloverfield Lane started out as a completely separate concept, titled The Cellar , so whatever story Abrams is hoping to tell in a future Cloverfield movie could be a romantic comedy script for all we know. In case the producer is still taking suggestions, here are a few ideas for what a 10 Cloverfield Lane sequel could be. (Beware of spoilers.)
1. A Michelle-Centric Action Movie
A sequel to 10 Cloverfield Lane could see Michelle continue in her journey and become a warrior for the humans against the alien invasion. This would not only let fans see more of Michelle (who is totally badass and awesome), but also could give Abrams a chance to connect the film to Cloverfield by having Michelle fight the monsters.
2. A Prequel About Howard
Yes, a movie about Howard (John Goodman) and his previous abduction wouldn't include aliens, which might cause a rift in the Cloverfield universe, but how awesome and creepy would it be to see Howard go through this whole process with a girl who knows that the outside world is not destroyed?
3. An Apocalyptic Drama
Cloverfield showed us the initial invasion, and 10 Cloverfield Lane gave fans a look at what might happen during/shortly after the apocalyptic arrival of alien beings, but what about the fallout? A third Cloverfield film could show us the next phase of the alien invasion by skipping past the initial attacks — events which happen within the timeline of the first two films.
4. A Cloverfield Mockumentary
After one monster movie and one hell of a thriller, what could be more surprising than a Cloverfield comedy? Making the next Cloverfield movie a mockumentary about some kind of alien invasion or government could be a fun way for the franchise to make fun of itself as well as tackle a brand new genre.
5. A Film About Ben
If you haven't heard already, Ben, that manly voice you hear on the phone talking to Michelle in one of the first scenes in the film, is none other than Bradley Cooper. He probably died in the attack that eventually threatens Michelle's life, but I don't think anyone would object to seeing a re-telling of the events of 10 Cloverfield Lane from Cooper, I mean, Ben's point of view.
It's likely that, should there be another Cloverfield movie, it will be a completely new story to keep up the anthology style of the series. Although, if the filmmakers really wanted to do something unexpected, then maybe they would make a straightforward sequel to 10 Cloverfield Lane, defying the expectation that they would never do that. And, down the rabbit hole we go!
Images: Paramount Pictures; Giphy (5)
