UNCHARTED 2 (2026) Tom Holland & Mark Wahlberg

It took a surprisingly long time, but after more than two years of waiting, Sony finally made it official. In June 2024, the studio announced that they were moving forward with a sequel to their 2022 video game adaptation, confirming that Uncharted 2 had been greenlit. This news didn't exactly come out of nowhere, because Mark Wahlberg had already hinted months earlier that a sequel was on the way. Still, hearing Sony say it publicly at the Cine Europe convention made it feel real. Even though the announcement didn't come with many concrete details, it was enough to reassure fans that the franchise wasn't being abandoned after just one movie. At the time of the announcement, a lot of things were still up in the air. Sony didn't confirm which cast members would return, and they didn't officially state that Tom Holland would once again play Nathan Drake. That said, the way the studio talked about the sequel made it pretty clear where things were heading. Reports soon suggested that the production schedule was being shaped around Holland's availability, which strongly implied that he would be back as Drake. So even though Sony avoided making a direct statement, the signs pointed toward Holland stepping into the role again for at least one more adventure. Fast forward about six months after the sequel was confirmed, and the situation still felt frustratingly quiet. There was no filming start date, no release window, and no major story details. But in December 2024, producer Charles Roven offered an update that, while not exactly thrilling, was still encouraging. He explained that the team was actively working on the script, but they had to wait because of Tom Holland's packed schedule. Holland and Zendaya were committed to a Christopher Nolan film first, and right after that, they were both set to jump into the next Spider-Man movie. According to Roven, these two projects might even release around the same time, creating another massive double feature moment similar to Barbenheimer. Although this update didn't give fans a clear timeline, it did confirm something important. Uncharted 2 was still moving forward behind the scenes. Even though there was no confirmed filming window, the fact that a script was in progress showed that Sony hadn't lost interest. More importantly, Roven's comments basically confirmed Holland's return without outright saying it. If the studio was waiting specifically for his schedule to open up, then it's hard to anyone else taking over the role. So, while it wasn't an official casting announcement, it was close enough to put most doubts to rest. When Uncharted was first being developed, Tom Holland wasn't always the obvious choice for Nathan Drake. Over the years, several different actors were rumored or considered for the role because the character in the games is older, more experienced, and carries himself like a seasoned adventurer. Still, Holland ultimately led the 2022 film, bringing a younger and more inexperienced version of Drake to the screen. Alongside him, the movie featured Mark Wahlberg as Victor Sully Sullivan, with Antonio Banderas and Sophia Taylor-Ali rounding out the main cast. Even though the casting choices sparked debate, the movie clearly connected with audiences. Critically, Uncharted didn't receive glowing reviews. Many critics felt it played things too safe, leaned heavily on familiar action tropes, or missed some of the deeper charm of the games. But despite that, audiences showed up in large numbers. The film ended its theatrical run with a worldwide box office total of over $407 million, according to Box Office Mojo. That level of success sent a clear message to Sony, people were willing to pay to see Uncharted on the big screen. Because of that, greenlighting a sequel in 2024 made complete sense, even though progress since then has felt slow. From the beginning, Uncharted was clearly meant to be more than a one-off movie. Sony always seemed interested in turning it into a full franchise, especially since the video game series already had a strong fanbase and plenty of material to draw from. There are four mainline Uncharted games, along with several spinoffs, which means there's no shortage of stories, characters, and locations that could be adapted. In theory, Uncharted is almost tailor-made for a long-running movie series filled with One interesting thing about the 2022 film is that it didn't directly adapt the plot of any single game. Instead, it functioned more like an origin story for Nathan Drake. In the games, Drake is already an established treasure hunter by the time players meet him. He's older, more confident, and deeply experienced. But in the movie, Holland's version of Drake is just getting started. He's younger, rougher around the edges, and still figuring out who he is. This creative choice allowed the film to introduce the character to new audiences, even though it also meant leaving out a lot of what long-time fans loved. Because the first movie focused on setting things up, Uncharted 2 has a lot of room to grow. Now that Drake's origins have been established, the sequel could show him as a more seasoned adventurer, someone closer to the version fans recognize from the games. That shift alone could help address many of the criticisms aimed at the first film. Instead of watching Drake stumble into danger, audiences could see him take more control, make smarter decisions, and rely on experience rather than luck. The ending of Uncharted already teased where the story could go next. The post-credits scene introduces Gage, who mentions that he works for a man named Roman. Fans of the games immediately recognized this as a reference to Gabriel Roman, one of the main villains from the first Uncharted game. That small moment suggested that future films could lean more heavily into the source material. After spending the first movie establishing the characters, the sequel could finally adapt some of the game's iconic storylines in a more faithful way. The long wait for Uncharted 2 has been tough, especially since the first film ended on such a clear tease. Knowing that a sequel is in development but still far away can feel disappointing. Tom Holland's busy schedule doesn't make things easier either, with his commitments to both Christopher Nolan's next project and another MCU Spider-Man movie in 2025. Finding a window to film Uncharted 2 is clearly a challenge. Still, the fact that Sony is willing to wait suggests they see long-term value in keeping Holland attached to the franchise. Looking back, one reason for the delay might be that Sony didn't fully commit to Uncharted as a franchise until after the first movie's success. If the studio had a more concrete plan from the start, a sequel might already be in theaters by now. But even though that opportunity was missed, it doesn't mean the franchise can't still thrive. In fact, the extra time could end up benefiting the sequel in unexpected ways. One of the most common complaints about the first movie was that Holland felt too young for the role. He was only 25 when Uncharted was released, which made it harder for some fans to accept him as a character known for being older and more world-weary. By the time Uncharted 2 actually releases, Holland will likely be closer to 30. Even though that still doesn't perfectly match the games, it brings him much closer to the character's established age and mindset. That alone could make his performance feel more authentic. This age shift also opens the door for Sony to adapt the games more closely. The Uncharted series is widely praised for its storytelling, characters, and cinematic set pieces. Translating those elements to the big screen in a more faithful way could help the sequel stand out and win over skeptics. If Uncharted 2 leans into what made the game special, it could easily outperform its predecessor both critically and commercially. The first film also planted the seeds for deeper emotional stakes. And that's that for today's video. Thanks for watching and we'll see you in the next one.