‘Kingsman 2’ confirmed, but there’s a catch because of Taron Egerton

It is confirmed that “Kingsman: The Secret Service” is getting a follow-up. Matthew Vaughn is currently writing the script and may also direct the franchise for the second time around. But it is likely that the production schedule may go haywire.

Based on a lesser known comic book series, “Kingsman: The Secret Service” was one of the biggest surprise hits of last year, grossing over US$412 million (568 million AUD) as well as earning positive reviews from critics. Naturally, a sequel was announced. The project is now underway, but not without hiccups.

Taron Egerton's stock is suddenly on the rise. He went from being a relatively unknown actor to a sought-after one and is now in a unique position to be the lead star of two franchises produced by two different production houses.

Taron is confirmed to star in the next instalment “Kingsman: The Secret Service” franchise, the 25-year-old actor has also signed on Lionsgate’s upcoming action adventure film "Robin Hood: Origins.” and is set to play the role of young Robin Hood. This development is now causing scheduling conflict between 20th Century Fox and Lionsgate, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Fox plans to start filming the sequel in April 2016, while Lionsgate wants to begin the production in February 2016. An action-adventure film like “Robin Hood: Origins” is expected to take a lot of time to shoot, and the time between February 2016 to April 2016 may not be enough for Unwin to wrap up his scenes. Thus, both the studios are reportedly in a "tug-of-war" over Egerton’s filming dates.

If Fox wins the battle, “Kingsman 2” will begin filming in April 2016, with the release date to be set sometime in spring or summer of 2017.

Prior to his commitment to doing Lionsgate’s project, Egerton had already inked a contract with 20th Century Fox. This gives latter the upper hand, but “Robin Hood: Origins” is already in pre-production stage. Lionsgate is now in the process of casting Robin’s Merry Men who will star alongside Egerton in the film, while Fox has yet to finish the script, THR reported.

“Kingsman: The Secret Service” is a spy action comedy film based on the comic book “The Secret Service” by Dave Gibbons and Mark Millar. It follows the recruitment of a young Eggsy Unwin (Egerton), mentored by Harry Hart (Colin Firth), to a secret spy organisation. The sequel may pick up from where the previous film left off.

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