The Last Witch Hunter 2 now officially has a title and release window as Vin Diesel drops a surprising update. Released in 2015, The Last Witch Hunter stars Diesel as Kaulder, a role that he was recently confirmed to be returning to, despite the original struggling critically and commercially.
Following the sequel’s development confirmation in September, Diesel now takes to Instagram to confirm that The Last Witch Hunter sequel will arrive at some point in 2026. The actor’s post also reveals that the film will be subtitled The Lion’s Oath.
“Ten year anniversary!” Diesel writes in his caption. “A decade ago, this weekend, Kaulder was first introduced… this year you have resurrected him….” Diesel’s post includes several images of himself, including two of him in costume as Kaulder, posing with a sword. Check out ... below:
The confirmation that The Last Witch Hunter 2 is happening at all is somewhat surprising given the reception to the first movie. The 2015 action fantasy was almost universally panned by critics and sports a dismal 17% on Rotten Tomatoes. The response from audiences was mixed at best, with the Popcornmeter score coming in at 44%.
This lack of enthusiasm from audiences and critics was reflected in the movie’s box office. Made on an estimated budget of around $90 million, the film only grossed $146.9 million worldwide. Using the traditional Hollywood rule of thumb, it may have been looking at a break-even point of around $225 million, making it a commercial disappointment.
The fact that Lionsgate confirmed The Last Witch Hunter 2 anyway speaks to the film’s popularity as a home-viewing choice over the last 10 years. When the sequel was confirmed to be in development in September, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson essentially confirmed as much:
The Last Witch Hunter has grown since its theatrical release into a global fan favorite, with audiences continuing to discover and rewatch it across every platform over the past decade. That enduring enthusiasm made clear there is an appetite for more stories set in this world. Vin and I have partnered many times over the years, and he is a true force in our industry. I’m thrilled to be reuniting with him as he returns to this iconic role, and excited by how advancements in filmmaking technology now allow us to economically deliver a sequel on an even more ambitious scale.
Fogelson’s comment also briefly addresses the sequel’s budget, seemingly revealing that The Lion’s Oath won’t feature a $90 million price tag like the original. Actual budget figures, though, have yet to be reported.
It’s unclear how the sequel will continue the story after The Last Witch Hunter‘s ending, but it has been reported that Michael Caine is coming out of retirement to reprise his role as the 36th Dolan, a priest and key ally in Kaulder’s fight against witches. Caine, 92, previously announced his retirement in October 2023. It’s not yet clear whether other supporting actors from the first movie, such as Rose Leslie or Rena Owen, will be returning as well.
With The Last Witch Hunter 2 arriving next year, production is likely to begin in the near future. Audiences can probably expect the sequel to arrive later in the year, and a firm date, as well as info regarding story and cast, should emerge over the next few months.