Kelsey Grammer Wants To Make A Follow Up To ‘Down Periscope’

Kelsey Grammer is reportedly looking to revisit one of his most beloved film roles from the nineteen nineties. The actor recently discussed his career and highlighted a specific comedy that he wishes to bring back to the screen. He starred as an unconventional naval officer in the 1996 movie ‘Down Periscope’ which has since garnered a loyal following. It appears that Grammer has kept a special place in his heart for this particular project over the last few decades.

The original film tells the story of Lieutenant Commander Thomas Dodge as he attempts to prove his worth to the Navy. Dodge is assigned command of a rusty diesel submarine called the USS Stingray during a series of war games. He must lead a crew of eccentric misfits to victory against the sophisticated nuclear fleet. The movie featured a talented ensemble cast that included Rob Schneider and Lauren Holly as well as the late Harry Dean Stanton.

During a recent interview with the outlet MovieWeb the celebrated actor confirmed his intentions regarding the property. Grammer stated clearly that ‘Down Periscope’ is the one film he genuinely wants to make a sequel to. He described it as his current dream project and indicated that he is actively thinking about how to make it happen. This enthusiasm suggests that he may already be in the early stages of developing a pitch or script.

Grammer went so far as to share a specific line of dialogue he has written in his head for the potential new movie. He envisions a scene where his character stands on the deck of a new vessel to address his sailors. The line involves him welcoming the crew aboard a nuclear submarine that has been christened the USS Dodge. This detail implies that the character would have achieved significant recognition within the naval world since the events of the first story.

The financial performance of the first movie was modest when it was originally released in theaters. It earned approximately thirty-seven million dollars globally against a production budget of thirty-one million. Critical reception was also mixed at the time with many reviewers dismissing it as a standard service comedy. However the film found a dedicated audience through home video releases and frequent television broadcasts.

This status as a cult classic is often enough to justify a legacy sequel in the modern entertainment landscape. Grammer is already experiencing success with the revival of his iconic television series ‘Frasier’ on streaming platforms. His ability to successfully modernize a character from the nineties proves that he understands how to balance nostalgia with fresh storytelling. A return to the comedic high seas would likely appeal to the same demographic that is enjoying his current television work.

It remains to be seen if a studio will officially greenlight the production in the near future. The actor certainly has the passion and the industry influence to push the conversation forward. If the project moves ahead it would likely seek to reunite surviving cast members for another maritime adventure. Fans of the original will surely keep an eye out for any official announcements regarding the status of the USS Dodge.

Tell us if you would be interested in watching a sequel to this classic comedy in the comments.