What To Expect From The Tax Collector 2

David Ayer’s The Tax Collector ends with a heavy amount of violence and a blatant sequel set-up, but do streamers and critics really want The Tax Collector 2? Based on reviews thus far, the crime thriller isn’t quite a cultural phenomenon, but it hasn’t entirely been panned either. Assuming that Ayer sticks to his guns, fans may receive a second franchise installment, just maybe not for a few years.

Like many of Ayer’s films pre-Suicide Squad, The Tax Collector takes place in the Los Angeles underworld. David Cuevas (Bobby Soto) and his pal Creeper (Shia LaBeouf) collect money from regional gangsters, which at once puts them in danger while allowing for more career opportunities with their boss Wizard. When a Mexican baddie named Conejo threatens to disrupt David’s work routines and cashflow, Uncle Louis (George Lopez) steps in to make things right. The second half of The Tax Collector follows David’s attempts to protect his family and friends from an evil underworld figure.

Tax Collector Ending Explained: What The Wizard Twist Really Means

The Tax Collector doesn’t follow a traditional hero narrative, as Conejo systemically murders David’s loved ones. So, the film becomes somewhat of a David vs. Goliath story, in which the former needs to figure out just how far he will go in the pursuit of vengeance. A final twist shows the antihero struggling with the past and future, and thus properly teases a sequel. Here’s what to expect from The Tax Collector 2.

Will The Tax Collector 2 Happen?

Despite negative critic reviews, The Tax Collector had a successful opening weekend with VOD rentals. That in itself is a victory, and perhaps a sign of the times. Ayer’s film was produced for $30 million, and may not prove to be a huge financial success – but, if people keep watching, a sequel can be justified. Whether or not Ayer wants to make a sequel is a separate matter. For now, it seems that The Tax Collector 2 could maybe happen.

The Tax Collector 2 Release Date

Right now, Ayer is scheduled to direct Bright 2, the sequel to his 2017 Netflix film starring Will Smith, along with a remake of The Dirty Dozen. So, it’s unlikely that The Tax Collector 2 would be filmed and released by, say, 2023, due to the fact that Ayer will be working on two big-time features. Still, there’s always the possibility that The Tax Collector 2 could be produced within the next five years.

The Tax Collector 2 Story Details

Everybody that David loves is killed in The Tax Collector. First, Conejo invites David to a night club and presents him with the severed head of Uncle Louis. Later, Creeper is tortured and murdered. Conejo then kills even more people, including David’s wife, Alexis (Cinthya Carmona). The final reveal shows that Wizard (portrayed by Jimmy Smits) is actually David’s father, who suggests that his son is ready to become a crime lord.

If The Tax Collector 2 does happen, expect a John Wick-like storyline that involves David raging out against his enemies. A new romantic interest will undoubtedly be introduced, along with a new baddie to defeat. On paper, a sequel makes sense – especially if The Tax Collector proves to be a major hit. However, it could ultimately just be a standalone story that’s meant to spark discussions about David’s fate and legacy.

About The Author

Q.V. Hough
(1892 Articles Published)

Q.V. Hough is a senior writer at Screen Rant. He’s also the founding editor at Vague Visages, and has contributed to RogerEbert.com and Fandor.

More From Q.V. Hough