‘Dredd’ Movie Was Almost About Judge Death Instead

Alex Garland’s 2012 film “Dredd” was almost a Judge Death-centric one instead. In an interview with Screen Geek, Dredd co-creator John Wagner said that one of the film’s early scripts was about Judge Death until it was ultimately scrapped by Fox.

A sequel to Garland’s film, which starred Karl Urban as the titular judge, has been heavily requested by comic book fans, and, while a sequel hasn’t yet come to fruition, Urban’s interest in continuing the franchise is strong.

In the beginning of his interview with Screen Geek, Wagner talked about the strong possibility of there being a sequel:

“ScreenGeek: What do you think of the possibility of a sequel film?

Wagner: Well, there will be a sequel, I just don’t know when or who’ll do it but it’ll happen.“

After being asked if the franchise will run better as a television series, Wagner casually revealed that “Dredd” was originally going to be about Judge Death, leader of the Dark Judges,  instead:

“Wagner: It would work very well as a television show – it just depends on how it’s done. It could work very as a film. I mean – everyone wants to see Judge Death, don’t they?

SG: Yeah, they definitely do.

Wagner: I wouldn’t mind seeing that. That was actually the first script that Alex Garland did was a Judge Death script but Fox, who they were dealing with at the time, turned it down. They wanted more nuts and bolts before they went into the [metaphysical].”

Whether or not we’ll see Judge Death in the big or small screen anytime soon, we’re still waiting for Judge Dredd’s return, is a good question, but Wagner’s comments definitely spark more cause for discussion.

Source: Screen Geek