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Despite its modest success and mixed reviews upon release, Mark Wahlberg’s 2007 military action thriller ‘Shooter’ is experiencing a surprising resurgence in popularity on Paramount+. The film, which was directed by Antoine Fuqua and based on Stephen Hunter’s novel ‘Point of Impact’, has climbed into the Top 10 movies on the streaming platform, recently securing the No. 8 spot.
‘Shooter’tells the story of former USMC sniper Bob Lee Swagger, portrayed by Wahlberg, who is framed for an assassination and must prove his innocence while on the run. The film also features performances from Michael Peña, Kate Mara, and Danny Glover. Upon its initial release, ‘Shooter’ grossed just under $96 million against its $61 million budget and received mixed reviews from critics. However, it found success in home media, grossing an additional $56 million from DVD sales within a year.
Interestingly, ‘Shooter’ maintains a strong 80% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, showcasing its lasting appeal among fans. The film’s recent popularity on streaming platforms can be attributed to the rise of “Dad Shows” like ‘Reacher’ and ‘Jack Ryan’, which have similarly revitalized interest in action-packed, military-themed stories.
Given the renewed interest, now could be an opportune moment for a ‘Shooter’ sequel. With five more books in Stephen Hunter’s series focusing on Bob Lee Swagger, there is ample source material to draw from. This potential sequel could not only capitalize on the current streaming success but also break Wahlberg’s so-called “sequel curse.” Despite his involvement in several sequels like ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’ and ‘Ted 2’, which received poor critical reception, a successful ‘Shooter’ follow-up could change this narrative .
Overall, the continued popularity of ‘Shooter’ highlights its enduring appeal and potential for future projects, making it a prime candidate for a sequel that fans of Wahlberg and military action thrillers would likely welcome.
