SyFy opted to release “Sharknado 2” in 2014 after the first movie catalyzed a phenomenon of Twitter commentary. The movie has not reached the script stage yet and it is unsure whether 90210 actor Ian Ziering and “American Pie” heartthrob Tara Reid would be featured in the flying-shark sequel set in New York City, reported the New York Daily News.
The original film’s debut on July 11 managed to reach 1.3 million viewers, fewer than average for an original film on the network, the Guardian reported. Despite achieving fewer viewers than average, the popularity of the over-the-top film on Twitter is what demanded the film’s follow-up. “ Sharknado drew more than 604,000 tweets last Thursday, more than the Game of Thrones‘ ‘Red Wedding’ episode,” reported the Hollywood Reporter.
“The fans are clamoring for a sequel. Or perhaps it will be a prequel. What we can guarantee is that ‘Sharknado 2’ will be lots of fun,” said Thomas Vitale, executive vice president for SyFy programming.
Syfy is looking towards fans to come up with a subtitle for the follow-up through a Twitter contest. Fans can tweet their subtitle to @SyfyMovies using #Sharknado. The network will select the best submission as the sequel’s subtitle as reported the Hollywood Reporter.
Though the tweetnado did not comprise of all positive tweets which left some to question the plot holes in the film, Los Angeles Times reviewer, Mary McNamara, provided a new perspective on Sharknado and other Syfy original films’ overlooked purpose. “That’s the whole point of movies like this: fabulous in-home commentary,” McNamara said.
“I’m just so glad that people saw the humor in it that I did […] because it’s hilarious. This movie was so ridiculous, you know? Like it’s almost so bad that it’s good,” Reid said to TMZ, capturing the essence of SyFy original movies.