EXCLUSIVE
Universal [5] wants its "Wanted [6]" writers back.
The studio has hired Michael Brandt [7] and Derek Haas [8] to write "Wanted 2 [9]," Haas told TheWrap Tuesday -- and tweeted [10].
"We just always loved the 'Wanted' world and loved working with Universal and (director) Timur (Bekmambetov) [11] on the first one, so we're excited," Haas said.
He said he doesn't know who will direct. The writer said he'd love to work with Bekmambetov again, "but he's a busy guy."
Universal has powerful reason to get the team back together. The first movie grossed $341 million worldwide on a $75 million budget.
Timur Bekmambetov directed the 2008 film about an office worker named Wesley (James McAvoy [12]) who finds out that his father is an assassin -- and discovers that he himself has a special knack for killing.
"Wanted 2" is "going to take off after the events of what just happened," Haas said. "Pick up Wesley a few years later and go back in for another round."
The movie, based on the comic books, also starred Morgan Freeman [13] and Angelina Jolie [14].
Brandt and Haas' collaborations have been fruitful and the pair boast a record of hits. The two wrote the 2003 "2 Fast 2 Furious," the 2007 "3:10 to Yuma" and, of course, "Wanted."