Few franchises manage to balance gritty action with heartfelt camaraderie. Yet, Den of Thieves has done just that. As anticipation builds for its sequel, 'Den of Thieves 2: Pantera,' stars O'Shea Jackson Jr. and Gerard Butler sit down with The Latin Times in Miami to discuss their journey back into the world of crime and chaos, with a touch of humor and nostalgia along the way.
In 'Den of Thieves 2: Pantera,' which opened this weekend, the action shifts to Europe, where Big Nick (Butler) is on the trail of a notorious diamond heist crew operating out of the dangerous and unpredictable Pantera. The film dives deeper into the lives of its characters, exploring their stakes and the consequences of their high-risk decisions. Donnie (Jackson Jr.), now a central figure in the heist underworld, must navigate loyalty and survival as alliances shift and tensions rise.
Returning to Their Roles
For Jackson Jr., stepping back into his character's shoes was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. "Besides the chance to do a sequel, it's about adding new layers to a character I already know so well," Jackson shares. He enjoyed how Donnie has evolved.
A primary motivator for him was working with director Christian Gudegast again. "Christian can hype you up to do anything. The guy has such good energy while filming, and you can always rely on him. That's rare in this business," he says.
Butler, who reprises his role as "Big Nick" O'Brien, agrees. "We had an amazing team on the first movie, and Christian made it feel like a family," he reflects. "The story and characters were unique, and we built a loyal fan base. It felt right to step back into these shoes and see where the journey takes us next."
Balancing Action and Humor
While Den of Thieves 2: Pantera promises high-octane action, the film also sprinkles in moments of humor—though not in the traditional sense. This is a change from the 2018 first movie.
"The chuckles are subtle," Jackson explains. "It's harder to pull off those nuanced laughs than a straight comedic scene. But working with Gerard, the laughs just happen naturally. We joke around a lot on set; it's how we release the tension of those intense action sequences."
Butler adds, "The humor never takes you out of the story's tension. It's a delicate balance. In fact, we had a hilarious scene that ended up being cut because it shifted the tone too much. It was one of my favorite scenes I've ever done. I was in a car, and it was laugh-out-loud funny, but it pointed the movie in a different direction. We ultimately decided it was better to keep the tension consistent. But don't worry—it'll be in the DVD extras and maybe on stream!"
Jackson agrees, adding, "That scene was a riot. It was one of those moments where you're like, 'This is gold,' but then you understand why it doesn't fit the overall vibe. Gerard and I still joke about it."
O'Shea Jackson Jr.'s WWE Dream Match
Now that 'Den of Thieves 2: Pantera,' Buttler can look to his next franchise: 'How To Train Your Dragon' in live action. He is excited and can't wait for fans to see him as Stoic, the character that he had voiced three times before in the animated movies.
Outside of Hollywood, Jackson has found another passion: a WWE podcast. When asked which wrestler could take on Big Nick, he doesn't hesitate. "It's gotta be Roman Reigns, my greatest of all time. Big Nick would need top-tier competition," he says, adding with a laugh, "Maybe even The Undertaker in his prime. That'd be one for the books."
Between the intense action, heartfelt storytelling, and unexpected humor, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is shaping up to be another hit. Jackson and Butler's infectious camaraderie and passion for their craft shine through both on and off the screen, leaving fans eager for what's to come. Whether it's a high-stakes heist, Viking adventures, or wrestling matchups, these two have a knack for delivering the unexpected—and we're here for all of it.
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