Will There Be a ‘Disclosure Day 2’? Here’s What We Know So Far

Steven Spielberg’s ‘Disclosure Day’ has officially premiered in theaters, and the buzz among audiences is palpable. This sci-fi thriller showcases the grand scale that only Spielberg can achieve, and with early critical acclaim pouring in, the discussion has swiftly shifted from “is it good?” to “when can we expect more?”

The inquiry about a sequel is certainly valid. After all, ‘Disclosure Day’ feels less like a conclusion and more like the beginning of an expansive universe. However, based on what we know so far, the answer may not align with fans’ hopes.

‘Disclosure Day’ was first announced in April 2024, marking Spielberg’s return to the UFO genre and reuniting him with screenwriter David Koepp. This project is far from casual; the journey to a final screenplay was arduous, with ‘Disclosure Day’ undergoing 42 drafts before Spielberg was ready to commence principal photography.

Produced by Kristie Macosko Krieger for Amblin Entertainment, the screenplay by Koepp reflects a history of successful collaborations with Spielberg that have amassed over $3 billion globally. This impressive pedigree highlights the weight of expectations surrounding the film even before its release.

The film features a stellar cast led by Emily Blunt, who was attached to the project as early as June 2024, with Colin Firth confirmed in August of that year. The ensemble, which includes Eve Hewson, Colman Domingo, and Wyatt Russell, came together throughout 2024.

Josh O’Connor portrays UFO whistleblower Daniel Kellner, a cybersecurity administrator on a mission to reveal the existence of extraterrestrial life. Spielberg has been clear that the marketing for ‘Disclosure Day’ intentionally concealed significant portions of the film, confirming at CinemaCon that no footage from the third act was included in any trailers or previews. This level of secrecy surrounding a summer blockbuster is increasingly rare and has only intensified speculation about the potential direction of the story.

The film carries a reported production budget of $115 million, plus an additional $80 million for marketing, setting its global breakeven point at approximately $300 million. Given that Spielberg’s audience tends to be older and may not rush to see a movie on opening weekend, ‘Disclosure Day’ could continue to draw audiences through June and July.

Despite initial speculation, ‘Disclosure Day’ has no ties to any of Spielberg’s previous alien films. The director has emphasized that it is a self-contained original story, cautioning at CinemaCon that Hollywood will “run out of gas” if it focuses solely on reboots and sequels.

Whether the film’s financial success will alter this narrative remains to be seen, but the critical response has been positive. ‘Disclosure Day’ is certified “Certified Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes, providing Universal with the word-of-mouth momentum necessary for a slow-burn box office performance.

The ending of the film raises intriguing questions about the possibility of ‘Disclosure Day 2’. Screenwriter David Koepp confirmed that the narrative was crafted to conclude at the moment the world witnesses alien life. Koepp stated, “If the movie was called ‘Disclosure Day and the Subsequent Week,’ then you know you got a lot of explaining to do. But our story was accomplished and it was time to end it.”

Critics and analysts have pointed to Spielberg’s history with sequels as another strong argument against a follow-up. He famously fought against an ‘E.T.’ sequel and opted not to direct any ‘Jurassic Park’ sequels beyond the second film. As of now, neither Spielberg nor the studio has officially announced plans for a sequel, and the absence of a post-credits scene further emphasizes the film’s standalone nature.

Fans and critics are divided on the idea of a potential sequel. Some believe the story is perfectly complete, while others are eager for more. Viewers have noted a few unresolved questions, such as how the world adapts to the disclosure and what the alien whispers to Daniel, which could lay the groundwork for a second installment.

Spielberg has likened ‘Disclosure Day’ to ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’, suggesting they are bookends to a similar narrative, with ‘Close Encounters’ addressing the initial shock of potential contact and ‘Disclosure Day’ exploring humanity’s evolving relationship with that possibility.

This perspective implies that Spielberg sees the two films as a complete arc rather than the start of a new franchise. While it’s possible he may have one more chapter to tell, nothing has been confirmed, and the film’s design strongly indicates it was intended to stand alone.

Regardless of whether a sequel comes to fruition, ‘Disclosure Day’ has reignited a vital conversation about original sci-fi filmmaking that Hollywood desperately needed. If you’ve seen the film, we want to hear your thoughts: do you believe the world Spielberg created in ‘Disclosure Day’ deserves another chapter, or does Daniel Kellner’s journey feel complete as is?