Taken 2 scores $50 million opening weekend

Fans of windpipe-crushing action will be pleased to know that a third Taken film is starting to look increasingly likely, after Taken 2 brought in a whopping $50 million during its opening weekend at the US box office.

That haul represents the third-highest October opening of all time, clocking in just behind Jackass 3D and Paranormal Activity 3 . Not bad going, by anyone’s standards.

With the franchise doing big business at the box office once more, one would expect Neeson to get another phone call from the studio enquiring as to his availability for Part 3. However, the big man himself doesn’t sound convinced.

In our video interview , Taken 2 director Olivier Megaton claimed that he wasn't interested in directing a third entry in the series, and admitted that as far as he knew, Neeson wasn't keen either.

And the actor seemed to confirm that stance in a recent interview. “I don't think so,” he said, when confronted with the idea. “I think we're finished. Mind you, I thought we were finished with the last one… if there is a sequel it should be based on Maggie [ Grace ]'s character.”

Whether or not that would have the same appeal remains to be seen, but at present, Mr. Neeson’s particular set of skills remain as alluring to the action crowd as ever…