‘Crimson Tide’ Sequel in Development: Jerry Bruckheimer Hopes Denzel Washington Will Return

It’s been three decades since Crimson Tide made waves in cinemas, delivering gripping underwater nuclear tension and earning critical and box office acclaim. Now, producer Jerry Bruckheimer is setting course for a sequel, hinting at new submarine drama on the horizon—and hoping to bring back Denzel Washington for the ride.

Speaking this week on The Rich Eisen Show, Bruckheimer revealed that he is actively developing Crimson Tide 2. “We have a really good director and writer talking to the Navy right now about what’s going on under the water,” he teased, though he did not name the filmmakers involved.

Bruckheimer also expressed optimism about reuniting with Washington, who starred as the principled executive officer in the original film, locked in a high-stakes power struggle with Gene Hackman’s commanding officer. “If we give him a good script, I think he’d do it,” Bruckheimer said.

However, a source close to Washington cautioned that the actor’s involvement would depend entirely on the script, which has yet to be finalized.

With Hackman having passed away in February 2023 at age 95, a new on-screen adversary will be necessary. The original film’s director Tony Scott and writer Robert Towne have also passed, adding weight to Bruckheimer’s acknowledgment of the original’s legendary creative team. “We had Tony Scott, a phenomenal director. We had Quentin Tarantino and Robert Towne, two of the greatest writers and directors, writing on that movie. … I don’t know if I’ll ever replicate that kind of writing for a film.”

Though Michael Schiffer is credited as the screenwriter, Crimson Tide went through numerous hands during its development, with a cast of potential leads including Warren Beatty, Al Pacino, Tommy Lee Jones, and Brad Pitt considered before Washington and Hackman took the helm.

Bruckheimer’s return to Crimson Tide news comes as he promotes F1, a racing drama starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski of Top Gun: Maverick fame. Known for long development cycles—Top Gun: Maverick took 36 years to become a reality—Bruckheimer is hopeful that the sequel to his 1995 hit won’t take as long. He also teased progress on Top Gun: Part 3, describing its story as “a real good one,” though details remain under wraps.

Disney, the studio behind Crimson Tide, has not yet commented on the sequel announcement.

As fans await further news, the prospect of revisiting the tense, claustrophobic world of submarine warfare with Denzel Washington at the helm offers an exciting prospect for lovers of high-stakes thrillers and classic ’90s cinema alike.