Murder Mystery 2 - What We Know So Far
Adam Sandler is something of a divisive figure when it comes to his brand of comedy. While his films generally do not fare well with critics, general audiences usually flock to his movies. Presumably, this led to his massive deal with streaming giant Netflix, which, as of this writing, will include 10 films in total (per IndieWire). One of those projects will be a sequel to "Murder Mystery," which was the most-viewed title on Netflix in 2019 (via Entertainment Weekly).
Focusing on Nick Spitz (Sandler) and his wife Audrey (Jennifer Aniston), "Murder Mystery" combined the classic whodunit setup with Sandler's brand of lowbrow, slapstick comedy. As the title suggests, the movie sees Nick and Audrey trying to solve a murder while both clearing their own names and trying to repair their relationship. It was the perfect film for streaming audiences, and obviously, viewers devoured "Murder Mystery" in large numbers. It's not surprising that Netflix has ordered a sequel.
With that in mind, what is exactly known about "Murder Mystery 2"? The answer may not require any intricate sleuthing techniques, but it's time to dive in and solve the mystery regardless.
Updated March 21, 2022: This post has been updated to add filming and casting information.
When will Murder Mystery 2 release?
As of March 2022, "Murder Mystery 2" still doesn't have an official release date. However, Adam Sandler did announce that filming has begun. On February 7, Sandler made the announcement on Instagram, writing "Back to work with my buddy." The post came with a photo of Sandler and his co-star, Jennifer Anniston, standing on a beach. It was taken on-location in Oahu, Hawai'i, where part of the movie is being filmed (via Netflix Life). Sandler also was sporting a full beard. Given that his character, Nick Spitz, has a mustache, it's likely that filming was just getting underway at that point.
Given that start date, the possible release window for "Murder Mystery 2" becomes clearer. Principal photography usually takes one to two months, with post-production requiring an additional six months to a year (via Adobe). However, since Netflix has already said it's "fast-tracked" (via Deadline), it's entirely possible "Murder Mystery 2" will be released before the end of the year. If not, early 2023 would be a logical choice.
Who is in the cast of Murder Mystery 2?
As Sandler's Instagram post revealed, both he and co-star Jennifer Anniston are reprising their roles as Detective Nicky Spitz and his crime-obsessed wife, Audrey. They'll be joined by Adeel Akhtar and John Kani, who were confirmed to be returning as Maharajah and Colonel Ulenga, respectively. In January 2022, Variety also announced that "Murder Mystery 2" will include several newcomers to the franchise, including Mark Strong ("Cruella"), Mélanie Laurent ("Inglorious Basterds"), Jodie Turner-Smith ("Without Remorse"), Kuhoo Verma ("Plan B"), Enrique Arce ("Terminator: Dark Fate"), Tony Goldwyn ("Scandal"), Annie Mumolo ("Bridesmaids") and Zurin Villanueva ("The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"). At this point, their roles they'll be playing haven't yet been disclosed.
Behind the camera, Jeremy Garelick ("The Wedding Ringer") has been hired to direct the film, as well as polish up the script that's written by James Vanderbilt (the 2020 "Scream" reboot, "Independence Day: Resurgence").
What is the plot of Murder Mystery 2?
Much like the title suggests, plot details for "Murder Mystery 2" are, well ... a mystery as of now. A betting person's guess is that it will have Nick and Audrey once again teaming up to solve some kind of ludicrous murder and trotting around the globe to do so. Seeing as the first film ended with Nick finally getting promoted to detective back home in New York, perhaps that will play some part in the story arc. Given that this is a Sandler movie, the formula likely won't change much from the first film.
This is probably a smart move, as most audience members who flock to this kind of comedy will probably not be expecting something groundbreaking. Still, given where "Murder Mystery 2" will be filmed, there will at least be a lot of beautiful scenery to look at, even if the plot's not drastically different from the first entry. Fans will simply have to wait and see where the latest collaboration between Netflix and Sandler takes them. Given the viewing figures of the first film, it's a journey that most Netflix subscribers seem more than willing to take.