Liam Neeson confirmed for Taken 2

Taken was a homerun into left field that nobody saw coming. I really really enjoyed the movie which helped me develop a healthy fear of the French, and established Liam Neeson as an action star. There have been talks of a sequel since the release of the original, but nothing set in stone until today:

Source: Empire

Neeson, who’s been working flat-out recently, had planned to take the rest of 2011 off after completing Wrath of the Titans, which didn’t chime with producer Luc Besson’s desire to get Taken 2 underway as soon as possible. Names in Besson’s hat as possible Neeson replacements apparently included Sean Bean, Mickey Rourke, Ralph Fiennes, Ray Winstone and Jason Isaacs. But it’s academic now, since Besson and Neeson have thrashed out a deal that should see production start at the end of the year or in early 2012.

I was completely satisfied with the first movie and the way it ended, as it really didn’t leave the door open for sequels. I was curious about Neeson’s former team mates that made appearances at the beginning of the film, but really didn’t expect to see this film revisited for a sequel.

I seriously hope they don’t re-use the plot and have his daughter kidnapped again as this could easily fall into “Mary Jane dangling from someplace high” territory, but I do appreciate every given opportunity to see more of Famke Janssen.