Is 23 Jump Street Ever Going to Happen? Channing Tatum Points Fingers

Fans have been waiting over a decade for another dose of Jenko and Schmidt, but Channing Tatum just dropped some major news about why 23 Jump Street might never see the light of day, and he's not holding back on who's to blame.

TL;DR

Channing Tatum says 23 Jump Street is unlikely to happen due to "overhead" from too many producers.
He specifically calls out producer Neal H. Moritz, stating his "huge" fee is "killing it."
Tatum, Jonah Hill, and directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller all agreed to lower their own fees to make the film possible.

The Long-Awaited Sequel: Will We Ever See Jenko and Schmidt Again?

It’s been a hot minute, hasn't it? More than ten years, actually, since Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill first blew us away as undercover cops Jenko and Schmidt in 21 Jump Street. Then, 22 Jump Street came along in 2014 and somehow managed to be even funnier, ending with that legendary montage of increasingly absurd sequel ideas – from Medical School to Cooking School and even one with Seth Rogen replacing Hill!

Naturally, fans have been clamoring for 23 Jump Street ever since. It’s the kind of question that Tatum says he gets "more about than any other movie on the face of the planet that I've ever done." Unfortunately, his latest update isn't exactly a party starter.

Channing Tatum Blames High Producer Fees for the Standoff

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In a recent interview with Variety, Tatum didn't mince words about the sequel's bleak future. He firmly believes it’s "never going to happen." The core issue, according to Tatum, is "the overhead." He explained that the cost of bringing everyone involved back, especially all the producers, would be immense.

The situation is apparently "too top-heavy" and "falls over every time" they try to get it off the ground. While Tatum, Hill, and the brilliant directing duo Phil Lord and Chris Miller (who also produced) were all ready to take a pay cut on their own producer fees to help make the film financially viable, there's one major sticking point: longtime producer Neal H. Moritz.

"Neal’s price for a producer fee is huge. And to be honest, that’s what’s killing it."

— Channing Tatum to Variety

Moritz is a big name in Hollywood, known for producing blockbuster franchises like Fast & Furious, Sonic the Hedgehog, and even TV hits like The Boys. So, he clearly commands a hefty price. But in this case, Tatum suggests it's the very thing preventing the beloved comedy duo from reuniting.

The Legend of the MIB 23 Crossover Script: A Comedy Masterpiece Lost?

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Remember that insane idea for a Jump Street and Men in Black crossover? It sounded wild, right? Tentatively titled MIB 23, this concept first leaked during the infamous 2014 Sony Pictures hack. By 2016, it was confirmed to be a real project, with James Bobin (of The Muppets fame) even in talks to direct.

Tatum has called the script for this proposed crossover "still the best script that I've ever read for a third movie." Jonah Hill, in a leaked email, described the idea as "clean and rad and powerful." Directors Lord and Miller have also sung its praises, recalling bits like rookie agents Jenko and Schmidt getting powder-blue suits and the premise of them getting embroiled in the MIB world during medical school to stop an alien takeover.

It sounded like the perfect blend of Lord and Miller's meta-comedy genius with the quirky sci-fi of Men in Black. But alas, development fizzled out by 2019, and the Men in Black series instead went with the critically panned and commercially underwhelming Men in Black: International. What a shame that truly is.

The Broader Landscape: Why Theatrical Comedies Are Struggling Today

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Beyond the specific producer fee issue, it's worth noting that the film industry has changed a lot since 21 Jump Street made $201 million worldwide on a $42 million budget, and 22 Jump Street pulled in $331 million on a $50 million budget. These are impressive numbers, but the market for mid-budget theatrical comedies isn't what it used to be.

In the age of streaming, many comedies that would have once hit theaters now go straight to services like Netflix or Prime Video. Even R-rated comedies that do get a theatrical release, like Jennifer Lawrence's No Hard Feelings in 2023, often struggle to break $100 million. While 23 Jump Street has the benefit of a built-in fanbase, it's not a guaranteed smash hit in today's climate, making those high "overhead" costs even harder to justify for the studio.

Other Spin-off Attempts and the Indefinite Stall

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It’s not for lack of trying that Sony has been unable to get more Jump Street content off the ground. There have been talks of a female-centric spin-off, reportedly titled Jump Street: Now for Her Pleasure, written by the talented Wendy Molyneux and Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin (from Bob's Burgers). More recently, in 2023, there were whispers of Brie Larson reprising her role as Molly Tracey from the first film for her own spin-off. However, both projects have gone silent, suggesting they too have hit development snags.

It truly seems like the entire 21 Jump Street franchise is in a holding pattern. While the creative team, including Tatum, Hill, Lord, and Miller, remains enthusiastic about the script and open to returning, the financial logistics appear to be insurmountable for now. So, while we can still rewatch the hilarious antics of Jenko and Schmidt, it might be time to accept that 23 Jump Street, and especially the epic MIB 23, could remain one of Hollywood’s great "what ifs."

Frequently Asked Questions About the 23 Jump Street Sequel

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Q: Is 23 Jump Street officially canceled?

A: While Channing Tatum states he doesn't think it "will ever happen" due to financial issues, there hasn't been an official studio cancellation notice. However, his comments strongly suggest it's stalled indefinitely.

Q: What was the plot for the proposed 23 Jump Street?

A: The most detailed and highly praised script was for a crossover with the Men in Black franchise, tentatively titled MIB 23. It would have seen Jenko and Schmidt recruited into the Men in Black during medical school to stop an alien threat.

Q: Why is 23 Jump Street so expensive to make?

A: According to Channing Tatum, the main issue is "overhead," specifically the high producer fees from multiple individuals involved in the project. He pointed to producer Neal H. Moritz's fee as a primary reason.

Q: What movies are Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill working on instead?

A: Channing Tatum has been promoting his new film, Roofman. Jonah Hill has also been active in various projects, though details about specific upcoming films weren't provided in the recent updates concerning 23 Jump Street.

Sources