After nearly two decades since the release of Apocalypto, Mel Gibson is set to return to direct Apocalypto 2. The original film, which premiered in 2006, captivated audiences with its intense portrayal of the fall of the Mayan civilization and became a box office hit despite being entirely in the Yucatec Maya language. Gibson’s eye for historical authenticity and visceral action made the film a unique cinematic experience. Now, the director plans to take audiences back to the ancient world in a thrilling continuation.

Apocalypto 2 is said to pick up years after the events of the original film, where protagonist Jaguar Paw narrowly escaped his civilization’s collapse. While Apocalypto focused on the decline of the Mayan Empire, this sequel will dive deeper into the story of Jaguar Paw and his people, as they attempt to rebuild their community. However, external threats loom as new invaders arrive from the sea—hinting at the impending arrival of Spanish conquistadors, which marks the beginning of another dark chapter in the Americas’ history.

The film will explore themes of survival, cultural clashes, and the impact of colonization. Fans of the original can expect the same level of intensity and raw action sequences, with Gibson reportedly doubling down on the film’s use of practical effects and location shooting to keep the realism that defined the first film.