The Revenant 2

Alejandro González Iñárritu’s 2015 masterpiece The Revenant remains a landmark in survival cinema. The film’s raw portrayal of Hugh Glass’s near-impossible survival and quest for revenge in the 1820s American frontier earned critical acclaim and multiple Academy Awards. Yet, despite the film’s success and its open-ended conclusion, no official sequel has been announced. This article imagines The Revenant 2 as a continuation of Glass’s story, exploring potential plotlines, character developments, themes, and cinematic approaches that could make a worthy follow-up.

Hugh Glass, a skilled frontiersman and fur trapper, suffers a brutal bear attack during an expedition. Left for dead by his companions—most notably John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy)—Glass’s indomitable will drives him to survive the harsh wilderness and seek vengeance. The movie’s final act sees Glass confronting Fitzgerald but sparing his life, signaling a complex transformation from raw vengeance to a more spiritual reconciliation. The film closes ambiguously, with Glass continuing his journey alongside the memory of his deceased son, Hawk.

The Revenant 2 could pick up shortly after the original, delving into Glass’s ongoing struggle for survival amid an unforgiving frontier that is rapidly changing. Historically, Hugh Glass did survive years beyond the bear attack and was a living legend in the fur trade era, so there is ample historical material to build on.

Glass’s attempts to reconnect with his Native American wife, Powaqa, and their son, Hawk, would provide rich dramatic possibilities. The first film hinted at his deep respect and bond with Indigenous culture, which could be explored in greater depth. Glass’s role as a cultural intermediary, torn between European settlers and Native tribes, presents compelling narrative opportunities.

Conflict would naturally arise from the fur trade’s expansion, territorial disputes, and the growing encroachment of settlers into Indigenous lands. Glass’s knowledge of the land and survival skills would make him a valuable asset but also a target for rival hunters, traders, and hostile factions. The tension between colonizers and Native tribes, as well as internal struggles within these communities, could serve as a powerful backdrop.

Glass’s character arc in The Revenant 2 could focus on healing and redemption, contrasting with the primal survival and vengeance themes of the first film. His sparing of Fitzgerald showed a shift toward forgiveness and inner peace, but the sequel could examine the psychological toll of his experiences and the difficulty of truly escaping a violent past.

Family would remain a central theme, especially his relationship with Powaqa and Hawk. The emotional stakes heighten if Glass must protect them from external threats while reconciling his own trauma. The sequel could explore how survival impacts not only the body but the soul, highlighting the human need for connection and belonging.

The wild frontier itself continues as a character in this narrative—brutal, indifferent, yet breathtakingly beautiful. The film could explore the tension between man and nature, and how Glass’s journey reflects a broader struggle for balance and understanding in a world on the brink of transformation.

John Fitzgerald’s ambiguous fate in the first film leaves the door open for his return. A final confrontation between Glass and Fitzgerald could provide a climactic arc. Alternatively, new antagonists—fur traders motivated by greed, corrupt settlers, or rival tribes—could challenge Glass’s quest and survival.

The escalating violence of the fur trade and westward expansion offers ample opportunities for high-stakes conflict. Glass’s knowledge and alliances might place him in a mediator role, but also in constant danger. The sequel could portray nuanced perspectives, showing the complexities of survival, loyalty, and cultural clashes.

The original’s breathtaking cinematography, shot in natural light and remote wilderness by Emmanuel Lubezki, was instrumental in immersing viewers in the story’s raw realism. The Revenant 2 would be expected to maintain or even expand on this visual grandeur. Sweeping landscapes, intimate close-ups, and natural sounds could deepen the immersive experience.

Director Alejandro González Iñárritu’s unique style—balancing brutal action with poetic moments—would ideally continue. The film could blend visceral survival sequences with contemplative, character-driven scenes, reflecting Glass’s evolving inner world.

A sequel would have the opportunity to delve more into the historical and cultural dynamics of early 19th-century America. The original touched on themes of colonialism, Indigenous spirituality, and man’s relationship with nature. The follow-up could expand these topics, portraying the diverse peoples and complex histories of the American frontier.

Such a film could also provide a platform for Indigenous voices and stories, adding depth and authenticity. Exploring the impact of colonization and cultural survival could enrich the narrative and resonate with modern audiences.

The Revenant 2 could also showcase Leonardo DiCaprio’s continuing portrayal of Hugh Glass, offering a rare chance to develop a complex character over multiple films. His Oscar-winning performance in the first installment set a high bar, and the sequel would need to maintain that level of emotional intensity.

Production challenges remain significant, given the original’s notorious difficulty with weather and location shoots. Maintaining high production values and the immersive quality of the original would require substantial resources and commitment.

While no official sequel exists, The Revenant 2 holds great potential to be a cinematic and thematic success. Exploring survival, redemption, family, and cultural conflicts against the backdrop of a transforming frontier, it could deepen the story of Hugh Glass and the harsh world he inhabited.

Until such a film materializes, audiences can imagine the continuation of this epic journey—one marked not only by brutality and endurance but also by hope, healing, and reconciliation.