22 Jump Street is often hailed as the quintessential sequel, playfully acknowledging and exaggerating sequel tropes while setting the stage for further installments. While a Jump Street/Men in Black crossover once seemed like the next logical, albeit wild, step, the emergence of Men in Black International has apparently cleared the path for a more traditional Jump Street sequel. In a recent Q&A session following a screening of The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, Phil Lord, co-director of the Jump Street films, revealed some exciting franchise news. Lord confirmed that the sequel currently in development is not 23 Jump Street, but rather, 24 Jump Street.
This unexpected jump to 24 Jump Street is a move that feels distinctly in line with the creative spirit of Phil Lord and Chris Miller. Fans of the franchise will recall a subtle nod in 22 Jump Street where the characters literally walk past the address “23 Jump Street,” perhaps foreshadowing this very development. When questioned about the specifics of developing 24 Jump Street, Lord’s response was concise and intriguing. He stated, “We’re reserving 23 Jump Street.”
This news is overwhelmingly positive for the Jump Street franchise enthusiasts. Not only is a sequel actively progressing, but the filmmakers also seem to have a compelling concept for 23 Jump Street that they are intentionally holding back, suggesting it’s an idea they believe deserves its own spotlight in the future.
Looking back, earlier iterations of a potential sequel saw Rodney Rothman penning a 23 Jump Street script that aimed to bring to life the numerous fictional sequels humorously presented at the end of 22 Jump Street. Furthermore, in 2015, Miller had indicated plans for him and Lord to produce 23 Jump Street with a different director at the helm. It remains to be seen if this reserved 23 Jump Street is a variation of those prior concepts or an entirely new direction for the franchise.
As production on a new Jump Street film inches closer, more details are anticipated to surface. In the meantime, Lord and Miller remain busy with other high-profile projects, including further LEGO Movie installments and the Spider-Verse saga. The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part was released on February 8.
