Downton Abbey sequel: Is Downton Abbey 2 happening after big box office boost?

Downton Abbey returned to the big screen, leaving fans swooning over their beloved show. The movie has exceeded expectations at the box office, much to the filmmakers’ delight. As a result, fans are champing at the bit to know if there will be a second movie.

Is there going to be a Downton Abbey 2?

Reports have offered varying ideas on whether there will be a second Downton Abbey film.

Jim Carter, who plays Carson, has spoken out about the idea of a sequel, and it has been reported that the Dowager herself, Dame Maggie Smith, would not want to be involved in a second film.

However, with the money rolling in, other reports have suggested the franchise may not be over just yet.

The Crawley family waiting to meet the royal family in Downton Abbey

The Crawley family waiting to meet the royal family in Downton Abbey (Image: Universal)

A source told The Sun: “Downton’s popularity as a film has been phenomenal.

“It took £60million in America alone and has been a roaring success. Julian [Fellowes, the show’s creator] and the team are over the moon with how it played out.

“No one expected it would be this big.

“The commercial viability of a second film is now a dead cert, so Julian has been told to start putting pen to paper on the follow-up.”

Highclere Castle, used as Downton Abbey in the movie

Highclere Castle, used as Downton Abbey in the movie (Image: Universal)

Fellowes has already said he was inspired with new ideas after writing the film, meaning there is clearly scope for more movies in the future.

But with that, there will also be fans asking whether there will be another series – or maybe a spin-off series launched?

Jim Carter spoke to Express.co.uk on this issue, and made clear that it was “one step at a time.”

He said: “I’m at the bottom of the food chain when it comes to things like this!

Mary Crawley, played by Michelle Dockery, in Downton Abbey

Mary Crawley, played by Michelle Dockery, in Downton Abbey (Image: Universal)

“If the film makes a gazillion then people will be wanting to make others but one step at a time.”

And speaking to ET Online, Julian Fellowes said: “To be perfectly honest, having thought the final episode of the sixth series was the end of the whole thing, which I completely did, I then thought the movie was definitely the end of the whole thing.

“I thought we were saying goodbye to Downton, and that was that.

“Now we all have to put our thinking caps on again.”

Director Michael Engler has made clear the film sequel will depend on the box office, which has certainly been healthy for the Downton makers.

Downton Abbey has broken its studio’s box office record for opening weekend, having earned a whopping $31million (£24.9million) in its opening weekend alone.

And that was just in America. Worldwide, the film has bagged a staggering $61.8million (£49.7million) worldwide, meaning its American market is just the tip of the iceberg.

Overall, the film has banked an impressive $136.7million (£111.8million) across the world, meaning it has smashed through its estimated budget of $20million (£16.3million) and will make a tidy profit.

Downton Abbey is in cinemas now

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