DVD Sales Spur New Line to Take Another 'Journey'

The movie "Journey to the Center of the Earth" was based on a book with no sequels and did a middling $240 million worldwide box office last year. So why is the movie getting a sequel?
Credit (or blame) better-than-expected DVD sales.

The first movie, which featured Brendan Fraser facing off against dinosaurs in 3-D, made $101 million in domestic box office. However, according to The Hollywood Reporter (THR), New Line executives were encouraged enough by DVD sales to commission a follow-up film.

THR wrote, "New Line will fully finance the movie, a departure from the first one, which saw Walden share co-financing duties."

According to THR, Eric Brevig will return as director and will be involved in script development.

Since Jules Verne wrote only one "Journey to the Center of the Earth" story, there was a need to come up with a new plot. According to THR, the sequel's story line will be based on a spec script by Richard Outten called "Mysterious Travels: The Lost Map Of Treasure Island." The producers bought the script and have repurposed it to fit the "Journey" world.

There is nor word yet as to whether the title will remain, as the characters will not be travelling to the center of the earth.