Despite media reports that a sequel to "22 Jump Street" has been in production, Channing Tatum clarified that there have been no final plans for a follow-up to the popular comedy film.
The end credits of "22 Jump Street" may have suggested additional installments to the franchise with Tatum along with costar Jonah Hill, his cop buddy in the films. A mock sequel showed "23 Jump Street: Medical School" with the tagline, "Turn your head and cough."
However, the Tatum-Hill duo may not yet be reprising their roles for the third time.
"I feel like that would be a cop-out," Tatum said in an interview with USA Today. "College was the obvious next step for us. We had to go there. I don't know what the next step is after college. Do we go and take down Enron? Or the government in D.C.? I feel like it's all redundant."
Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the summer 2014 comedy movie raked in $35 million on its opening weekend in North America.
"The big running joke of the second movie is this is just going to be bigger ... than the first time," Tatum explained, referring to the indefinite plans for a sequel. "I don't know if that joke works three times, so we'll see."
Drawn out from the 1980s TV series starring Johnny Depp, the first film in the franchise, "21 Jump Street," had Tatum portraying the rebellious cop Jenko. A popular student back in high school, Jenko is sent back to class for an undercover assignment along with his partner Schmidt, played by Hill.
The storyline of "22 Jump Street" also follows the same approach, although it is carried out in a college setting.
With a budget of $42 million, the first "Jump Street" movie pulled in $201 million internationally whereas its sequel raked in $327 million at the global box office with a $50 million budget.
While it remains unsure of Tatum is still to return to the big screen as Jenko, his other forthcoming films include the "Magic Mike" sequel, the highly anticipated "Foxcatcher"and the animated movie "The Book of Life," which already premiered in theaters.
