Explore why Real Steel never got a sequel, if Real Steel 2 is being made, and what made Atom so strong. Get the latest 2025 updates, poss...
Explore why Real Steel never got a sequel, if Real Steel 2 is being made, and what made Atom so strong. Get the latest 2025 updates, possible trailer news, and more. Anthony Mackie, the actor who played Finn, the owner of the underground robot boxing arena Crash Palace in the 2011 movie Real Steel, won the part after a phone call with director Shawn Levy.
He presented me with the role with the idea that the role would expand during the course of the film and hopefully series, and I was like, 'Man, we could do part 2.' "We could do part 10," Mackie said during EW's oral history of Real Steel on the occasion of the movie's 10th anniversary. "I wanted it to have the feel of the Fast and the Furious movies."
Mackie said that this didn't happen for several reasons, but he also clarified that he "always supported a sequel" and even had an idea to take the Real Steel movie franchise. "I always had an idea of going to the underground world and seeing what the reality is." The underground boxing circuit is so different from that last fight [the final League match in the movie] with all the glitz, glam and polish. I'm like you could do a Mad Max meets Real Steel, and I could be Tina Turner.Real Steel stars Hugh Jackman, as Charlie Kenton, a down-on-his-luck retired boxer who's now deep into the sport of robot boxing--giant remote-controlled mechs that battle in rock 'em sock 'em matches. Charlie's estranged son, Max (then-10-year-old Dakota Goyo) is thrown back into his life, but in fixing up an old sparring 'bot together, they build their relationship.
Mackie is Finn's first film appearance, in which Charlie and Max bring Noisy Boy, a 'bot they believe will make them rich, to the arena to fight, and the star has since appeared in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier series and the upcoming Captain America 4 film but says it would be funny if he returned now as an adult and he's a successful businessman and he doesn't get time for robot boxing. 'That's for kids!' And he falls in love with robot boxing again and discovers the happiness of life when you're not stressed with work. Levy said, "I think that would be a great story line," adding why the sequel to Real Steel never happened, despite so many fans and reporters to this day asking him if one will ever happen.
"We did have some ideas when we were finishing the movie, but none of them seemed fully developed and unique enough," the filmmaker said. "Are we sure we can top it? We never got to that draft."
He also points out the fact that the film earned almost $300 million worldwide at the time, which he guesses is because Real Steel was marketed as like Transformers Light, but it was never Transformers. It was always a father-son film, Levy continued, "We did well, but not well enough." "It wasn't that we had $500 million and a sequel was a no-brainer. So, the economics were hanging in the balance, we didn't have the perfect script idea. We still play with it because whatever lasting love fans have for Real Steel, Hugh Jackman and I share it.
The consensus, it seems, is that both Levy and Jackman would be eager to join the sequel if and when the time comes. "Bring it on!" the star said.
FAQs
Why did Real Steel never get a sequel?
A sequel to Real Steel was never made because the creators couldn’t find a script that matched the emotional impact of the first film, despite its fan demand and box office success.
Is there a Real Steel 2 being made?
As of 2025, Real Steel 2 is reportedly in early development, but no official release date or cast confirmations have been announced.
Did Charlie get custody of Max in Real Steel?
Yes, by the end of Real Steel, Charlie and Max reconnect emotionally, and Charlie takes responsibility for being a father, implying shared custody.
Why is Atom so strong in Real Steel?
Atom is strong because he’s a sparring bot built for durability and precision. His strength comes from his resilience, programming, and Max’s emotional connection guiding his moves.
Will Real Steel 2 come out?
Real Steel 2 has been teased multiple times, and while discussions continue, the project has yet to receive an official production start or release date.
Is there a trailer for Real Steel 2?
No, there is no official trailer for Real Steel 2 yet, as the film has not entered full production.
What is Real Steel on in 2025?
In 2025, Real Steel remains available for streaming on Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video, continuing to attract new fans worldwide.
Why is Atom so strong in Real Steel?
Atom’s strength lies not just in his design but in his ability to mirror human emotion and determination — symbolizing the bond between father and son.