The new sci-fi action film “War Machine” closes with the kind of ominous tease that rarely feels accidental. Directed by Patrick Hughes and led by Alan Ritchson, the picture debuted in Australian theaters in February before arriving on Netflix today, introducing a story that blends military training drama with an extraterrestrial threat.
While the movie works as a contained survival thriller, Hughes recently revealed in an interview with Decider that he already has a broader direction in mind should the story continue.
Hughes Envisions a Bigger Story Beyond the First Film
Set during the brutal final stage of the U.S. Army Ranger selection process, “War Machine” begins like a traditional boot camp drama before veering into cosmic chaos. Ritchson plays a traumatized recruit known only as 81, who unexpectedly finds himself leading a small group of trainees after an alien machine crashes into their training grounds. The encounter transforms a military exercise into a fight for survival, laying the groundwork for what looks suspiciously like the first chapter of a larger story.
Hughes has not officially confirmed a follow-up, but he made it clear the idea is already mapped out. Speaking about the possibility of continuing the story, the director said, “I don’t know, if that opportunity came up, then yeah.” The comment was cautious, yet he immediately hinted that the narrative has a much wider scope waiting to unfold.
Hughes suggested the structure of the first movie was designed with expansion in mind. “Look, I know exactly where I want to take it, and what that broader story is,” he explained, noting that the picture deliberately starts small before expanding outward. “For me, I wanted to tell a film that started with the micro, and ended with the macro.” That approach reframes “War Machine” less as a one-off creature feature and more as the opening move in a potentially large-scale invasion saga.
Ritchson, for his part, seems more than ready to return. When asked about the possibility of a sequel, the actor joked, “It’s already done. We’re already ready to shoot.” While clearly delivered with a laugh, the remark captures the tone surrounding the project.
Whether the sequel actually materializes will likely depend on audience response to the Netflix release. But if Hughes gets the chance, the director behind action titles like “The Expendables 3” and “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” already has a roadmap in place. As he put it simply: “Let’s see what happens.”