Summary
The possibility of aTrading Placessequel has gotten an encouraging update from Dan Aykroyd. The original 1983 movie, which was directed by John Landis, starred Aykroyd as hustler Billy Ray Valentine opposite Eddie Murphy as executive Louis Winthorpe III, who essentially swap lives when Winthorpe is framed for a crime. The comedy’s ensemble cast also included Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche, Denholm Elliott, and Jamie Lee Curtis. Although the movie was both a critical and commercial success, thepossibleTrading Places 2has failed to materialize in the four decades since its release.
Speaking withCollider, about his Audible podcastBlues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude, Aykroyd touched onTrading Places2,revealing that he has already written a treatment for the project involving Winthorpe becoming a billionaire banker and Valentine needing his help. While talking about the story, he mused that “I should resend that” now that the executives at Paramount have changed. Read his full quote below:
I did write a treatment that takes place in the Caribbean with Eddie as a hedge fund billionaire banker who comes to help old Lewis out with a problem. You know what — I should resend that. I know that Paramount has a new administration. That’s a good idea.
Could Trading Places 2 Actually Happen?
There Has Never Been A Better Time For The Legacy Sequel
It would not be a shock forTrading Places 2to eventually get made. For one thing,the original movie was a massive success, earning $120.6 million worldwide against a budget of just $15 million, a whopping total for the time that made itthe fourth highest-grossing movie of the year worldwidebehind titles includingStar Wars: Episode VI - Return of the JediandFlashdance. On top of its box office, it has earned a Certified Fresh Rotten Tomatoes score of 89%.
In 1983,Trading Placesoutgrossed major blockbusters, includingSuperman III,Octopussy, andJaws 3-D.
While there has not been any official movement on a sequel to theEddie Murphy movie, the time is also ripe for aTrading Placessequel. The success of the star’s Netflix legacy sequel,Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,seems to prove thatthere is audience interest in him returning to his classic movies from the 1980s. Because his hit comedyComing to Americahas already received a legacy sequel in 2021’sComing 2 America,Trading Placeswould seem to be the next-biggest title in line that has yet to be given a follow-up.
It seems entirely possible that studios are already looking to pursue a sequel toTrading Places, which could make Aykroyd’s interest in the project quite well-timed. Ultimately, it seems that the biggest obstacle to the movie coming to fruition would be Murphy’s interest and availability. Between the upcomingShrek 5and thepossibleBeverly Hills Cop 5, the star may not have time to pursue another project in the near future.
Trading Places
Cast
Trading Places is a comedy film directed by John Landis. Released in 1983, the film stars Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd as a street hustler and a wealthy businessman whose lives are swapped due to a bet made by two callous millionaires. The movie explores themes of socioeconomic class and human behavior, with strong performances by Murphy and Aykroyd alongside Jamie Lee Curtis.
