‘Crimson Tide’ Sequel Reportedly in Development

A writer and director are talking to the US Navy for ideas, and the hope is that original star Denzel Washington will spark to the script if it’s good.

(L to R) Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman in 'Crimson Tide'. Photo: © Hollywood Pictures Company, Don Simpson Productions, Inc. & Jerry Bruckheimer Inc.-All rights reserved.

Preview:

Jerry Bruckheimer says he’s developing a sequel to 1995 submarine thriller ‘Crimson Tide’.
Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman starred in the original.
A writer and director are involved in the new potential project.

Having seen big success wrangling a sequel to one of his previous hits via ‘Top Gun Maverick,’ producer Jerry Bruckheimer is looking to do it again.

Talking on a recent episode of ‘The Rich Eisen Show,’ Bruckheimer revealed that he was in the early stages of developing a follow-up to 1995 submarine thriller ‘Crimson Tide.’

Crimson Tide

"Danger runs deep."

R1 hr 56 minMay 12th, 1995

Watch Crimson Tide Online

While the new project is still very much in its infancy, Bruckheimer did say that a writer and director –– who he did not name –– were already having discussions with the Navy as to the current state of undersea warfare, as a new scenario will be needed for this movie.

What’s the story of ‘Crimson Tide’?

(L to R) Gene Hackman, Denzel Washington in 'Crimson Tide'. Photo: © Hollywood Pictures Company, Don Simpson Productions, Inc. & Jerry Bruckheimer Inc.-All rights reserved.

In the near future, Russian rebels have seized control of one of the ICBM bases in the USSR. Alarmed by the prospect of a rebel strike, the U.S. sends the USS Alabama, a nuclear ballistic missile submarine, to watch over the base and retaliate in case they launch.

While on patrol, the submarine is attacked and the radio systems are knocked out, but after first receiving an emergency message from HQ to launch nuclear missiles at the rebels. A second emergency message received during the battle is only partially recovered.

Captain Ramsey (Gene Hackman) decides to carry out the first order to launch the missiles regardless while Executive Officer Hunter (Denzel Washington) wants to wait for a successful receipt of the second message once the radio systems are repaired. The conflict escalates into mutiny as Ramsey and Hunter fight for control of the Alabama's nuclear missiles.

The movie, directed by Tony Scott, also featured Viggo Mortensen, Steve Zahn, James Gandolfini, Matt Craven and George Dzundza.

But it was perhaps more famous for the people behind the keyboard for the script; while Michael Schiffer’s name is on the screenplay, with Richard P. Henrick credited for the story, there was an extensive list of writers who did passes, including Robert Towne and Quentin Tarantino.

Denzel Washington in 'Crimson Tide'. Photo: © Hollywood Pictures Company, Don Simpson Productions, Inc. & Jerry Bruckheimer Inc.-All rights reserved.

According to Bruckheimer, the hope is to entice Washington to return (Hackman retired years ago and died in February of this year).

Here’s what he said about the possibility:

“If we give him a good script, I think he’d do it.”

Variety reached out to a source close to Washington, who brought word that the actor would consider the idea, but is certainly waiting to see any screenplay.

As to who is at work on the concepts for the new movie, Bruckheimer declined to name them.

There are no details, plot or otherwise, about this sequel, so we can only speculate what it might focus on. The technology behind nuclear submarines has moved on considerably from the days of the original, and yet the basics remain.

A nuclear submarine was a key plot point in the last two ‘Mission: Impossible’ movies, and the concept of technology aboard such a vessel could well play into the new one.

And it’s worth noting that Disney, which has the rights to ‘Crimson Tide’, has yet to comment on the possibility of any sequel –– but given Bruckheimer’s long working relationship with the studio, he certainly has leeway to say what he likes about future projects.

What else is Jerry Bruckheimer developing?

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer on the set of Apple Original Films’ 'F1', a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Photo by Scott Garfield. Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures / Apple Original Films. Copyright: © 2025 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Bruckheimer, who shepherded the original ‘Crimson Tide’ alongside business partner Don Simpson, has a wide variety of projects in development.

He was most recently behind hit Brad Pitt racing drama ‘F1’, which has now earned more than $167 million worldwide after a week on release.

And he’s produced other sequels to his past movies, including the ongoing ‘Bad Boys’ franchise and ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’, which saw Eddie Murphy back in his most famous role.

Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.'

Given that his producing portfolio also includes TV alongside movies, Bruckheimer is moving ahead on the likes of new ‘Pirates of the Caribbean' movies (including one with Margot Robbie attached), another ‘National Treasure’ and a TV series based on ‘Enemy of the State’.

Chief among them, though, might be the work on a third ‘Top Gun’ movie, which star Tom Cruise and writer Christopher McQuarrie are looking to crack.

Here’s what Bruckheimer told Eisen about a potential return for Cruise’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell:

“I can’t talk about [the story] yet, but it’s a real good one.”

What else is Denzel Washington working on?

Denzel Washington attends Netflix's 'The Piano Lesson' LA premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix.

The actor will next be seen leading Spike Lee’s crime thriller ‘Highest 2 Lowest,’ based on Akira Kurosawa’s classic ‘High and Low'.

Though he has been making statements about retiring, at least from acting, he’s still keeping busy.

This is what he said about potentially stepping back from being on screen:

“There are very few films left for me to make that I’m interested in, and I have to be inspired by the filmmaker. The things that are going on for me professionally behind the camera are as important to me now as in front of the camera. I think there’s less and less time I’ll be spending in front of the camera.”

He’s preparing to work on crime drama ‘Here Comes the Flood,’ and he’s talked up a potential role in the planned third ‘Black Panther’ movie, which director Ryan Coogler has confirmed could happen, and he has other possible roles coming up, including a project about the historical warrior Hannibal.

And even if he does decide that his days as an actor are numbered, he’ll likely to continue to produce and direct movies.

When might the ‘Crimson Tide’ sequel be on screens?

With the script not even written yet and no other details offered, we don’t expect this one to come together for a while yet.

If Denzel Washington does sign on to star, that’ll have this one moving a little faster and encourage the studio financiers to turn their keys and release the funds for this one to be made.