Movies that clearly set up sequels only to get completely different sequels down the line

I've been rewatching the Rush Hour movies recently (because I am man of refined tastes) and couldn't help but notice a funny thing about the ending of Rush Hour 2. The first movie ended with them getting on a plane to Hong Kong, setting up their next adventure to start right where this one left off. The second movie does the same, ending with the duo heading to NYC to get the girl, see the sights and have a new adventure in a new city.

But then they don't.

In fact, the entire New York plotline is resigned to backstory for Rush Hour 3, with all the events happening prior to the movie and offscreen. This makes sense considering that, despite the three adventures happening one right after another, 9 years passed between the release of the first and last movies. So if the third Rush Hour movie did pick up that plotline, it would be set in 1998 and feature every actor playing a decade younger than they actually were.

This got me thinking: what are some movies that set up an obvious sequel, only to go a different direction? Obviously, some movies tease a sequel without one getting made. But I'm talking about teasing one route and go as different route entirely.

Submitted January 01, 2023 at 03:58AM by Both_Tone https://ift.tt/iTenQ9V