A smash hit fantasy sequel that still might have killed a franchise demands reincarnation on streaming

Despite recouping its budget more than five times over at the box office – and existing as the hugely successful sequel to what was the third highest-grossing local release of all-time when it first hit theaters – Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days might still prove to be a franchise-killer.

The second chapter in the sweeping fantasy saga hit the big screen less than eight months after its predecessor, and while it was confirmed that director Kim Yong-hwa was developing third and fourth installments, almost half a decade has passed with no sign of the series being continued, which seems strange when box office takings reached a cumulative $200 million on combined production costs of under $37 million.

Either way, the second and potentially final entry has been sailing through the after life on streaming, after FlixPatrol revealed The Last 49 Days to have been reincarnated as one of the most-watched features on the iTunes global charts. This time around, protagonist Ja-hong and his trio of guardians from the afterlife must prepare themselves for the remaining trials that deem whether or not they’re worthy of being reborn, with the story also jumping back 1000 years in time to fill in the expository gaps.

Reviews were a lot less enthusiastic the second time around, and with earnings also taking a hit, it remains to be seen if Along with the Gods will ever return to the screen to round out the ambitious undertaking. If it doesn’t, then at least the duology we did get has proven itself capable of performing on-demand, which could spur the studio into action.