Will Smith’s Hancock might have been a box office success in 2008, but it was a film that left fans and critics alike scratching their heads. As a darkly comedic take on the superhero genre, the film introduced audiences to a flawed, alcoholic antihero who had no time for traditional superhero ideals. However, it also marked the beginning of a troubled era for Smith. The film was critically divisive, and the canceled Hancock 2 remains a tantalizing “what if?” in Hollywood history. With talk of a potential sequel, starring Smith alongside Zendaya, could this long-awaited follow-up finally redeem the franchise? If so, it must confront its past shortcomings and recreate a legendary scene that was cut from the original film.
The Missed Opportunity of Hancock: A Story of Untapped Potential
Hancock came out at a time when the superhero genre was still trying to find its true footing. While Iron Man and The Dark Knight were solidifying their place as genre-defining blockbusters, Hancock took a different route. Will Smith played the titular antihero, a reluctant and troubled superhero whose powers were matched only by his destructive tendencies. The premise—essentially a deconstruction of the superhero mythos—was a bold one. Yet, it wasn’t quite ready for the mainstream audience.
Despite its unique concept, Hancock fell short in terms of execution. The film had the potential to be an R-rated breakthrough in the superhero genre, much like Deadpool would eventually become in 2016. However, Sony’s intervention, particularly in the form of heavy edits and censorship to achieve a family-friendly PG-13 rating, diluted the impact of what could have been a darker, more mature exploration of the character. Instead of a raw, emotional story, we got a jumbled narrative that left audiences questioning what could have been.
“It just wasn’t that funny,” said Peter Berg, the director of Hancock, in an interview with Den of Geek when discussing the film’s darker moments. “You’d put it in front of an audience, and there’d be two, maybe three people laughing.” This perspective led to the controversial decision to cut the scene altogether, and in the process, a key part of Hancock’s character arc was lost.
The Original Script: A Darker, More Complex Hancock
The original script, penned by Vince Gilligan (of Breaking Bad fame), was a far grittier and more layered version of the story. In his draft, Hancock’s backstory wasn’t just a vague reference to his troubled past but a focal point of the narrative. One scene, in particular, stood out for its rawness and emotional depth: Hancock’s troubled sexual encounter with a woman. The encounter takes a dark turn when, after a moment of intimacy, Hancock inadvertently destroys part of the building, blowing holes into the roof. The woman flees, terrified, and Hancock is left to wrestle with his own self-loathing and inability to connect with others.
This moment could have served as a pivotal turning point for Hancock’s character—an event that fully encapsulated his loneliness and internal turmoil. Instead, the scene was scrapped, and in its place was a film that felt emotionally hollow. The lack of an emotional foundation meant that Hancock’s destructive behavior didn’t feel earned; it was just part of the character’s erratic existence without any real context.
“There was no way to do that and then regain even a modicum of emotional integrity,” said Berg, defending his decision to remove the scene.
Hancock 2: Will Smith, Zendaya, and the Chance for Redemption
Fast forward to today, and Hancock 2 has yet to see the light of day. However, rumors of a sequel have recently gained traction, with Will Smith himself hinting at Zendaya’s potential involvement via social media. If this project were to go forward, there’s no doubt that a Hancock sequel could be more successful today than it would have been back in 2008. With a decade of superhero evolution behind us, audiences are now ready for more mature, subversive takes on the genre—just look at how Deadpool revolutionized the field.
For a Hancock sequel to succeed, it needs to embrace the darkness that was initially cut from the original film. Rebuilding Hancock’s character requires revisiting the trauma that shaped him. Not only does this allow for a deeper exploration of the character, but it also sets the stage for a more impactful and engaging narrative.
Moreover, Zendaya’s rumored role could be a key factor in bringing the necessary emotional depth to the sequel. As a rising star with incredible range, Zendaya has already proven her ability to tackle complex and nuanced roles, which would be a perfect fit for a film like Hancock 2. The inclusion of Zendaya could also serve to diversify the film’s storytelling, introducing new dynamics and emotional stakes.
Will Smith himself has shown excitement about the prospect of Zendaya joining the cast, suggesting that her involvement could bring fresh energy to a potential sequel. Whether or not she plays a love interest or a fellow superhero remains unclear, but her role would undoubtedly be pivotal in ensuring Hancock 2 isn’t just a rehash of the original film.
The Role of Sony and the Audience’s Expectations
However, the critical question remains: can Sony learn from its past mistakes? The studio’s meddling with the original Hancock was a major contributing factor to the film’s critical failure. If they truly want to capitalize on the success of the first film and make Hancock 2 a worthy sequel, Sony must allow the filmmakers the creative freedom to explore mature themes and darker aspects of Hancock’s character. It’s clear that fans want a more authentic, emotionally grounded experience—one that doesn’t shy away from the complex and often painful moments that make Hancock who he is.
Sony’s track record with superhero films has been hit-or-miss, but the success of Spider-Man: No Way Home suggests that the studio is capable of supporting ambitious, genre-defying storytelling. If they let the filmmakers take risks, Hancock 2 could very well become a dark, character-driven triumph rather than a watered-down sequel that plays it safe.
A New Era for Hancock: What’s Next?
The time may finally be right for Hancock 2 to break free from the confines of studio interference and embrace a fresh, raw perspective on its troubled hero. As Will Smith and Zendaya possibly come together for this long-anticipated sequel, there’s a chance to reimagine Hancock not just as a superhero, but as a deeply flawed man struggling with the weight of his powers and past.
For fans of the original film, there’s hope that the sequel can fix the mistakes of the first movie and reclaim what was lost. And if the sequel does embrace the darker, more mature themes that were originally cut, it could stand as one of the most unique and emotionally complex superhero films of the modern era.