It has been nearly 20 years since The Big Lebowski was released, but many fans were still holding of hope that a sequel would some day come. Unfortunately, it looks like that hope has been dashed once and for all. Joel and Ethan Coen, the duo who wrote, directed, and produced the cult classic, have revealed that they don’t see themselves making the desired second film, reports Variety.
“Tara Reid likes to announce that just like Clooney likes to announce Hail, Caesar!” said Joel in an interview with the magazine, indicating that the actress (who played Lebowski’s trophy wife, Bunny) has been angling for a sequel, much like George Clooney had been when the brothers had yet to finish the upcoming Hail, Caesar. Sadly for Reid, her encouragement didn’t have the same effect as Clooney’s did on the duo’s plans. “In this case, I don’t think we’ll oblige,” said Joel.
Reid hasn’t been the only one dropping not-so subtle hints with the media about wanting to build on the original Big Lebowski. John Turturro, who played Jesus Quintana, one of the Dude’s bowling opponents, has suggested a spinoff focusing on his character. Yet he’s another who won’t be getting his way; Ethan’s response was simply, “No.”
While the actor won’t get to play Jesus again, he may get a chance to star in a different Coen brothers sequel at some point. The duo revealed that they would like to do a follow-up to 1991’s Barton Fink. “That’s the one movie that we thought deserved a sequel, called Old Fink,” said Joel. “But we don’t want to do it until Turturro is quite old. He’s getting there.” Ouch.
In the meantime, the filmmakers have Hail, Caesar in theaters and plans to adapt the 1966 novel Black Money, among other projects.
