Almost a decade after Hot Tub Time Machine 2 hit theaters, it looks like the franchise might finally be gearing up for another sequel. Craig Robinson, who plays Nick Webber in the films, has teased that a third Hot Tub Time Machine is now closer than ever. The original film came out in 2010 and quickly became a cult classic for its absurd humor and time-travel shenanigans. Even though the sequel didn’t quite live up to expectations, Robinson’s latest comments have many thinking that a third film could finally be on the way.
In a recent interview with CBR while promoting his upcoming Netflix movie In Your Dreams, Robinson confirmed that Hot Tub Time Machine 3 is “so ready to go.” However, he also added, “Divine Order has to take place, or something,” which made it sound like the project is complete on paper, but waiting for the right moment to move forward. This is especially interesting because screenwriter Josh Heald had previously confirmed that he had a big idea locked in for a sequel, one that would tell a larger story and explore the multiverse.That makes it seem like the script is ready, and something else is holding the possible film back.
During the same interview, CBR asked Robinson if scheduling conflicts were the reason for the delay. He hinted that there might be more to it than that. He explained that Hot Tub Time Machine 2 “just kind of happened” after a quick meeting, and soon the sequel was in development. This time around, things don’t seem to be coming together as easily. Robinson didn’t give a clear answer about what’s causing the holdup, but his comments do make it sound like there are still some behind-the-scenes issues that need to be sorted out before production can start.
Why Now Is the Perfect Time for a ‘Hot Tub Time Machine 3′
The first Hot Tub Time Machine was a surprise hit when it was released. The film grossed about $65 million worldwide on a $36 million budget, which is why a sequel was greenlit so quickly. Unfortunately, the 2015 follow-up didn’t perform nearly as well; it was both a critical and commercial failure. The film only earned $12.3 million (domestic) during its entire theatrical run, which was lower than what the first film made in just its opening weekend. That poor box office performance is one of the main reasons a third film hasn’t happened yet. The studio likely didn’t want to take another risk on a sequel that might not deliver big numbers.
However, over the years, the Hot Tub Time Machine movies have found new life through streaming and have gained a steady cult following. The series was even mentioned in Avengers: Endgame when the heroes were listing down the most popular time-travel movies. Multiverse movies are more popular than ever right now, and a comedy spin on that idea could fit right in. A third movie that leans into the absurdity of multiple timelines while keeping the same goofy humor could bring back old fans and also pull in new ones who never saw the originals.
At the same time, legacy sequels are all the rage in Hollywood right now. Films like Bad Boys: Ride or Die, The Naked Gun, Freakier Friday, and Happy Gilmore 2 are proof that audiences still want to see their favorite comedy franchises return. The Hot Tub Time Machine movies may not be cinematic masterpieces, but they continue to do well on streaming. And if the studio isn’t fully confident about a theatrical release, there’s always the option of a straight-to-streaming debut. Happy Gilmore 2 was released directly on Netflix, and maybe Prime Video could do something similar for a Hot Tub Time Machine sequel.
Both Hot Tub Time Machine movies are currently available to stream on Prime Video.
Hot Tub Time Machine 2
- Release Date
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February 20, 2015
- Runtime
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93 minutes
- Director
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Steve Pink
- Writers
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Josh Heald