Liam Neeson’s Wrath of the Titans Deserves a Second Look

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Blending Greek gods, mythical creatures, and legendary heroes, Wrath of the Titans is a 2012 sequel that’s often considered a disappointing attempt to launch a grand fantasy series based on ancient Greek myths. Despite featuring a stellar cast – including Liam Neeson as Zeus, Ralph Fiennes as Hades, and Sam Worthington as Perseus – the film didn’t achieve its aim of starting a new wave of epic fantasy adventures.

When Wrath of the Titans came out fourteen years ago, critics didn’t like it, and most people didn’t go to see it, effectively ending the series after just two movies. But looking back after more than a decade, it seems the film may have gotten a raw deal. Perhaps it’s time to take another look and appreciate this sequel, which may have been unfairly criticized.

Wrath of the Titans Deserves a Second Look More Than a Decade Later

Fourteen years after its initial negative reception, Wrath of the Titans deserves another look. The 2012 film follows Clash of the Titans, which was famous for its classic stop-motion effects created by Ray Harryhausen. Wrath of the Titans continues the story ten years later, with the gods of Olympus facing a new threat. As people on Earth begin to rely on themselves instead of the gods, the deities’ power diminishes. Unable to contain the ancient Titans, who are rising from the depths of Tartarus to conquer Olympus, the gods need help. Perseus, who saved them a decade earlier, must return to defeat the Titans and rescue his father, Zeus.

When Wrath of the Titans came out, it received overwhelmingly negative reviews from both critics and viewers. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film only earned a 22% approval rating – even lower than the first Clash of the Titans movie. Reviewers criticized the confusing and chaotic storyline, unmemorable characters, and stiff performances. Due to these poor reviews, the film didn’t perform well at the box office, bringing in $305 million despite a production budget of $150 million (according to The Numbers). While it likely managed to break even in theaters, it was a close call. Importantly, it earned considerably less than the original Clash of the Titans, which had made around $490 million just two years prior.

Okay, let me tell you, Wrath of the Titans gets a bad rap, but I actually think it’s better than people remember. It really tries to capture the scope and grandeur of Greek mythology, and honestly, it builds on Clash of the Titans in a positive way. They clearly learned from the first film – the effects are noticeably better, and the action is way more exciting. Yes, some criticized Sam Worthington and Rosamund Pike, but the actors playing the gods are fantastic. Liam Neeson is Zeus, and every scene with him – or with Hades – is a treat. It’s a fun, visually impressive adventure.

While not a masterpiece, Wrath of the Titans feels surprisingly refreshing now. Big-budget mythological adventures like it are rare in theaters these days, with most similar stories now appearing on TV shows like Game of Thrones and The Rings of Power. These large-scale films are costly to produce – Avatar being a prime example – and Wrath of the Titans‘ recent popularity on streaming services like Prime Video shows that audiences are craving this type of epic storytelling.

Why Wrath of the Titans Never Got a Sequel

Even though Wrath of the Titans wasn’t well-received by critics or audiences, a third movie, Revenge of the Titans, was actually planned. The project didn’t get very far, though – one of the producers later said they canceled it because they couldn’t come up with a good story. By the end of 2013, Revenge of the Titans was officially scrapped, effectively ending the Titans film series.

Although the stated reason for canceling ‘Revenge of the Titans’ was a shortage of story ideas, it was likely a cover-up for the true problem: a lack of audience enthusiasm. The world of Greek mythology is rich with characters and stories that could have supported numerous films, but the two ‘Clash of the Titans’ movies only explored a small part of it, focusing on just one hero.

The series could have explored the stories of other Greek heroes instead of focusing solely on Perseus. For example, Theseus’s quest through the Labyrinth, which seems to have influenced parts of Wrath of the Titans, could have been a standalone movie. Likewise, the exciting voyages of Jason and the Argonauts, or Odysseus’s epic journey home, would have been great options, showcasing different aspects of Greek mythology. There are many other legendary tales that could have been adapted as well.

Even if Wrath of the Titans had been a bigger success, a third movie wasn’t guaranteed. The filmmakers appeared stuck focusing solely on the Titans, and didn’t want to expand the story’s possibilities. By the second film, the creative energy had faded, and the franchise still hadn’t reached its full potential. A modern remake based on Greek mythology could likely be much more successful now.

Other Great Movies and Shows to Watch If You Love Wrath of the Titans

Although the Clash/Wrath of the Titans movies haven’t had any sequels or remakes, fans of the series can still find plenty of similar entertainment. If you enjoyed the Greek mythology in Wrath of the Titans, consider watching Percy Jackson. Based on the popular book series, Percy Jackson blends ancient Greek myths with a modern setting, featuring heroes, gods, Titans, and monsters. Like Wrath of the Titans, the series centers around the gods trying to stop Kronos, the king of the Titans, from escaping from Tartarus.

A new movie is set to revive the epic fantasy genre by reimagining the classic tale of Odysseus and his journey home after the Trojan War. Facing threats from monsters, angry gods, and powerful witches, Odysseus is determined to reunite with his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus. Based on the initial trailers, The Odyssey promises to be the grand adaptation of Greek mythology that Wrath of the Titans aimed to be.

If you like epic fantasy but aren’t interested in stories based on Greek mythology, there are many other great options. Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy remains one of the best fantasy series ever made. Even after twenty-five years, its grand scope and scale are still unmatched, even compared to today’s blockbusters. The related stories, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, are just as expansive and impressive.

As a fantasy fan, I’ve noticed TV is packed with epic stories, ranging from really dark and grown-up shows to adventures the whole family can enjoy. For me, Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon really stand out as the best of the bunch, but shows like The Wheel of Time and The Witcher are also doing a great job of bringing these kinds of worlds to life.

While Wrath of the Titans didn’t get a follow-up film it deserved, fans of epic fantasy can still find plenty of great movies to enjoy. Though the golden age of fantasy films faded quickly, it looks like the genre might be making a comeback, especially if new films like The Odyssey are successful. There’s even potential for more stories based on Greek mythology.

Wrath of the Titans is available to stream on Prime Video.

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2026-01-10 05:08