A sequel to the beloved 2004 indie comedy Napoleon Dynamite is reportedly in the early stages of development at Searchlight, according to Matt Belloni of Puck.
The original film, directed by Jared Hess, was an unexpected cult phenomenon, known for its deadpan style, offbeat humor, and complete disregard for traditional storytelling.
It centered on an awkward teen in rural Idaho and, despite its modest $400,000 budget, managed to rake in $46 million worldwide, later achieving iconic status through DVD sales and streaming.
While many have wondered if its unique charm could ever work again in today’s cinematic landscape, it appears the creators are serious about giving it another go.
Jared Hess, now fresh off directing the upcoming Minecraft movie, reportedly has the leverage to bring the sequel to life.
And it seems the original cast is on board: Jon Heder, who starred as Napoleon, has made it clear he’d return—but only if Hess is attached.
Efren Ramirez, who played Pedro, also said “everyone wants a sequel,” and “the door’s not closed yet,” hinting at genuine interest in revisiting the characters.
The original Napoleon Dynamite wasn’t built to start a franchise, it felt more like a glorified student project that accidentally caught fire.
Its appeal was strange, specific, and perfectly timed.
Whether lightning can strike twice remains to be seen, but for now, it looks like Napoleon and Pedro might be preparing for one more shot at greatness.
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