Despite the commercial success of films like Guillermo del Toro's Hellboy (grossing $99 million worldwide) and John Wick (approximately $85 million globally), it is remarkable that the 2008 superhero film Hancock has not yet evolved into a franchise. Released during a pivotal period for the superhero genre—the same summer that saw the release of cinematic giants like The Dark Knight and Iron Man—Hancock significantly outperformed James Gunn's recent Superman reboot at the global box office. However, over fifteen years since its debut, Hancock remains a standalone film.

Recent developments suggest this might change, as star Will Smith hinted last year that a sequel could finally be in the works, with Zendaya reportedly in discussions for a role. Given that an entire generation has passed since the original film's release, Sony would face the considerable challenge of re-introducing the property to younger audiences. Nevertheless, the film's enduring popularity on home video platforms is evident; it recently experienced a substantial surge in viewership. According to FlixPatrol, Hancock was among the most-watched movies on the global HBO Max charts, ranking prominently even as Paul Thomas Anderson's Oscar-contending epic, One Battle After Another, topped the leaderboard.

The film features Will Smith as John Hancock, an immortal being who squanders his extraordinary powers through a life of hedonism, only reluctantly engaging in heroic acts. His unique vulnerability arises when he inadvertently comes into close proximity with another immortal, a character named Mary portrayed by Charlize Theron. Jason Bateman co-stars as Ray Embrey, a regular citizen who endeavors to rehabilitate Hancock's severely damaged public image. Directed by Peter Berg, Hancock achieved a global box office total of $630 million against a reported budget of $150 million. In comparison, Iron Man, with a similar reported budget, earned approximately $50 million less globally.

Upon its release, Hancock received mixed reviews from critics, currently holding a 42% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes. The critical consensus on the platform states, "Though it begins with promise, Hancock suffers from a flimsy narrative and poor execution." Since Hancock, Will Smith has continued his successful partnership with Sony on two Bad Boys blockbusters and the hit Men in Black 3. Charlize Theron has also ventured into playing an immortal superhero in The Old Guard and its sequel for Netflix. Jason Bateman's career has seen a significant boost in popularity with his acclaimed role in the series Ozark and a voice role in the blockbuster Zootopia movies. Hancock is available for home viewing, and fans are encouraged to stay tuned for further updates regarding a potential sequel.