The Den of Thieves universe isn’t done robbing box offices yet. Lionsgate has officially locked in plans for Den of Thieves 3, bringing back Gerard Butler’s unhinged detective Big Nick O’Brien and O’Shea Jackson Jr.’s slippery ex-con Donnie for another adrenaline-pumping heist saga. The announcement comes hot on the heels of Den of Thieves 2: Pantera’s $50M global haul, proving that audiences still crave the franchise’s gritty blend of tactical shootouts and morally gray machismo.
Christian Gudegast, the architect behind the series, is in talks to write and direct the third installment, which promises to take the action far beyond Los Angeles and Europe. If Pantera was a Eurotrash crime romp, Den of Thieves 3 is eyeing a globetrotting spectacle. Gudegast teased inspirations from real-life heists in Brazil, Africa, and Southeast Asia—regions where “the criminal underworld operates like a parallel government.” Think less Ocean’s Eleven, more Narcos meets Heat, with Butler’s gravel-voiced lawman chasing Jackson’s Donnie through markets, jungles, and favelas.
Butler isn’t just flexing his biceps this time; he’s also producing alongside Alan Siegel via G-BASE. Lionsgate and Tucker Tooley Entertainment, which shepherded the franchise after rescuing it from STX, will co-finance. The studio’s confidence isn’t unwarranted: The first two films have collectively raked in over $126.5M worldwide, with Pantera alone scoring a #1 domestic opening and a lucrative PVOD debut.
For fans worried about delays, Gudegast claims the blueprint for Den of Thieves 3 is already “outlined and ready to go.” Translation: Expect casting announcements sooner than a SWAT team breach.
FAQs:
Q: Who is directing Den of Thieves 3?
A: Christian Gudegast, creator of the franchise, is negotiating to return as writer-director.
Q: Will O’Shea Jackson Jr. reprise his role as Donnie?
A: Yes—the Straight Outta Compton star is expected to return alongside Gerard Butler.
Q: What real-world heists inspired Den of Thieves 3?
A: Gudegast cited infamous crimes in Brazil, Africa, and Southeast Asia, focusing on their unique criminal ecosystems.
Q: How much has the Den of Thieves franchise grossed?
A: The series has earned over $126.5M globally, with Pantera contributing $50M alone.
Q: What studio is backing Den of Thieves 3?
A: Lionsgate and Tucker Tooley Entertainment are co-financing, continuing their partnership from the first two films.
