'Galaxy Quest' Director Dean Parisot Heads Up 'Red 2'

Screenwriters? Check. Release date? Check. Now Red 2, the sequel to the 2010 comic book adaptation starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren has an all-important director as well. Dean Parisot, the director of Galaxy Quest and Fun With Dick and Jane, will helm the sequel which is expected to return all four of those stars. Writers Jon and Erich Hoeber were hired to write the script last January and Summit announced August 2, 2013 as the film's release date. It'll be Parisot's job to bring those two things together. Read more after the break.Variety broke the news of the hire but surmise that:

Production on ”Red 2” could be a ways off yet, as a busy Willis has yet to work out his schedule and other members of the ensemble cast are awaiting deals, but the studio is locking in its helmer for what's shaping up to be one of the final few feature productions released under the Summit banner before it integrates with Lionsgate.

Which is basically saying, the Summer 2013 release date – while still attainable – might not work out because of the pending merger, not to mention Willis circling a A Good Day To Die Hard, the fifth Die Hard movie, which also has a tentative 2013 release date planned. (February 14, to be exact, which seems ambitious as it's now less than a year away and casting isn't even complete.)

The first Red, directed by Robert Schwentke, grossed almost $200 million internationally and is Summit's biggest hit without the word "Twilight" in the title." It follows several retired secret agents forced to get back in the spy game and is, very loosely, based on a classic graphic novel by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner.

I found the first Red to be entertaining, albiet it kind of forgettable. Still, it's a film worthy of a sequel simply because of the sheer chemistry and joy visible between the actors. Parisot reportedly beat out several other people for this gig and while not known for action, has shown a penchant for blending comedy with thrills and has been working on TV for the last several years.

Do you think Red 2 is going to be worthwhile?