After 12 Years, '24 Jump Street' Officially in Development: Spider-Verse Creator to Direct

The action-comedy franchise Jump Street is finally continuing its story after more than a decade. 24 Jump Street has been confirmed to be in development, with Rodney Rothman—who previously directed and wrote the screenplay for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse—trusted to helm the film. The news was first reported by Variety and corroborated by producer Neil H. Moritz's Instagram post, which showed a script cover page titled 24 Jump Street.

Rothman is not alone in crafting the story; he co-wrote the screenplay with Jonah Hill and Meghan Malloy. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the duo who directed the previous two films, will serve as producers. Their involvement signals that the franchise's signature meta-humor and action formula will be maintained. Meanwhile, Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill are reportedly set to return as Greg Jenko and Morton Schmidt, although there has been no official confirmation regarding the extent of their involvement.

The decision to jump from 22 to 24 is not without reason. Producer Neil H. Moritz wrote in his post, "It took so long we had to skip a number." This aligns with the recurring joke in the previous two films, which sarcastically commented on sequel numbering. In the post-credits scene of 22 Jump Street, the production team even showcased a long list of potential sequels up to 23 Jump Street and beyond, including video game and animated spin-offs. This jump further reinforces the franchise's identity of never taking Hollywood conventions too seriously.

In terms of story, the direction of 24 Jump Street remains speculative. The post-credits scene of the second film hinted that the next sequel would be set in Russia, but there's no confirmation whether that idea will actually be executed. What's clear is that Jenko and Schmidt are now in their forties, so going undercover again as high school or college students would feel awkward—unless they were to play teachers. However, given the franchise's penchant for pushing the boundaries of logic, such a premise could itself become a source of humor.

For the global entertainment industry, the revival of Jump Street indicates that studios still rely on established franchises with loyal fan bases to boost box office revenue. Amidst a slowdown in original content innovation, a sequel delayed by over a decade becomes a safe strategy: lower creative risk, while audience nostalgia acts as a magnet. The decision to place Rothman—who has a track record in superhero animation—as director is also intriguing. He is known for his ability to manage complex narratives with a touch of humor, a fitting combination for Jump Street.

"It took so long we had to skip a number." — Neil H. Moritz, producer

In Indonesia, the Jump Street franchise has its own fanbase, especially among young adult audiences who follow Hollywood film developments via streaming platforms. The future success of 24 Jump Street could indicate whether R-rated action-comedy films are still in demand in the global market, including Indonesia, which tends to be sensitive to explicit content. If the film is released in Indonesian cinemas, there will likely be scene cuts or rating adjustments from the LSF (Film Censorship Board). However, its potential audience remains large, given that the names Tatum and Hill still hold appeal.

As of now, no production schedule or release date has been announced. But one thing is certain: 24 Jump Street will be a test of whether the once-fresh meta-comedy formula can still captivate audiences after more than a decade. Will nostalgia be enough to replicate its success, or will the franchise, conversely, run out of laughs?