Marco 2 Shelved After Excessive Negativity
Unni Mukundan confirmed via Instagram that officially dropped plans to continue the Marco 2 due to too much negativity around the project.
In a surprising move, actor-producer Unni Mukundan has confirmed that the highly anticipated sequel to the Malayalam action thriller Marco has been officially shelved. The decision comes after mounting criticism over the original film's extreme violence and polarizing reception from both audiences and industry insiders.
A Promising Franchise Halted
Marco, directed by Haneef Adeni and headlined by Unni Mukundan, emerged as a surprise commercial success upon its release in December 2024. Touted for its intense performances, stylized action, and dark thematic material, the film grossed over Rs 100 crore globally—making it the first A-rated Malayalam film to achieve that milestone.The 2024 original featured intensely graphic scenes—murder of a baby, torture of a pregnant woman, prolonged sexual violence. Districts like Thiruvananthapuram saw waves of complaints to the CBFC.
Director VC Abhilash termed Marco a “dark chapter in Indian cinema,” questioning both the creators’ and audience’s sensibilities.These public condemnations added serious weight to the negative discourse.As a result, satellite rights were denied and TV and OTT accessibility were restricted .
The post-credit scene of Marco clearly teased a sequel, sparking immense buzz across fan communities and digital platforms. Production plans for Marco 2 were reportedly in advanced stages, with speculation of a pan-Indian scale and potential collaborations with major South Indian stars.
Despite the box-office success, Marco attracted severe criticism for its portrayal of graphic violence. The film included disturbing scenes such as the murder of a baby, torture of a pregnant woman, and sexual assault—all of which triggered widespread outrage from audiences and industry veterans alike.
Following this, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) reportedly faced internal scrutiny, and several broadcasters and OTT platforms declined to acquire satellite and streaming rights for the film. This further limited the film’s long-term reach and added to the mounting controversy surrounding its content.