You probably remember the ending of Without Remorse. Michael B. Jordan, looking appropriately gritty as John Kelly, fakes his own death and adopts the legendary alias John Clark. He sits down with Robert Ritter and drops the line fans had been waiting for: he wants to start a multinational counter-terrorist unit. He’s going to call it Rainbow.
That was 2021. Since then? Mostly radio silence, save for a few big headlines that made waves and then settled into the murky depths of "development hell." If you’re wondering what actually happened to the Michael B. Jordan Tom Clancy universe, you aren't alone. It’s been a weird road.
The transition from the 2021 Amazon debut to the upcoming Rainbow Six movie has been slowed by a massive shift in strategy, a change in directors, and Jordan’s own exploding schedule. Honestly, it’s a miracle the project is still alive at all. But it is. And the version we’re eventually going to get looks nothing like the first one.
The Chad Stahelski Factor: A Total Shift in Tone
The biggest piece of news to drop since the first movie was the hiring of Chad Stahelski to direct. If that name sounds familiar, it should. He’s the guy behind the John Wick franchise.
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This is a huge deal. Stefano Sollima directed Without Remorse with a very specific, dark, "Sicario-lite" vibe. It was tactical, sure, but it felt a bit standard. Stahelski coming on board suggests that the Michael B. Jordan Tom Clancy collaboration is moving away from the "gritty political thriller" vibe and sprinting toward "high-octane tactical action."
Stahelski recently mentioned in late 2024 and early 2025 interviews that they are "taking their time" to get the script right. He isn't interested in just another sequel; he wants to build a world that lives up to the Rainbow Six name. This is a property with a massive legacy in both literature and gaming. You can't just half-bake it.
- The Director: Chad Stahelski (John Wick)
- The Lead: Michael B. Jordan as John Clark
- The Studio: Paramount (moving toward a theatrical release)
- The Goal: A multinational team-up movie
Why Without Remorse Divided Fans
Let’s be real for a second. The first movie was... polarizing.
Hardcore Tom Clancy readers were kinda frustrated. In the original 1993 novel, John Kelly is a man on a vengeance mission in the 1970s, dealing with drug pushers and a POW rescue in Vietnam. The movie updated it to modern-day Russia and turned it into a conspiracy thriller that felt a little thin to some.
But for general audiences, Michael B. Jordan was the draw. He brought a physical intensity to John Clark that we hadn't seen from previous iterations (sorry, Willem Dafoe and Liev Schreiber). People liked the action. They just didn't love the plot.
The low Rotten Tomatoes scores—sitting in the 40s for both critics and audiences—could have killed the franchise. Usually, numbers like that mean the "one and done" treatment. However, the streaming numbers on Prime Video were massive. People watched it. They wanted more Michael B. Jordan. That demand is specifically what kept the Rainbow Six sequel on life support until it finally got the green light.
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What's Actually Happening with Rainbow Six in 2026?
As of early 2026, the movie is still in active development. That sounds like corporate-speak for "nothing is happening," but it's actually the opposite.
Jordan’s production company, Outlier Society, has a massive first-look deal with Amazon MGM Studios. This gives him a lot of leverage. But he’s also been busy directing Creed III, filming Sinners with Ryan Coogler, and working on a Thomas Crown Affair remake. The guy is booked solid.
The delay for the next Michael B. Jordan Tom Clancy installment is also likely due to the script's complexity. Rainbow Six isn't a solo revenge story. It’s an ensemble piece. It requires a "Ding" Chavez. It requires a team of international operatives. Casting those roles is almost as important as having Jordan in the lead.
Rumors have swirled about who could play Domingo "Ding" Chavez—Clark's right-hand man and son-in-law in the books. Fans have been vocal about wanting someone who can match Jordan's energy. Without a strong Ding, it’s not really Rainbow Six.
Moving From Streaming Back to the Big Screen
One of the most interesting updates is the release strategy.
Without Remorse was originally a Paramount theatrical release that got sold to Amazon during the pandemic. For the sequel, the plan has shifted back. Paramount and Jordan are reportedly aiming for a wide theatrical release this time. They want the big screen, the IMAX seats, and the global box office.
This change in scale is probably why the budget has ballooned and the production timeline has stretched. You don't hire the John Wick director for a small-scale streaming movie. You hire him to make a spectacle.
Actionable Insights: What to Expect Next
If you're waiting for the next chapter in the Michael B. Jordan Tom Clancy saga, here is what you need to keep an eye on over the next twelve months:
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- The "Ding" Chavez Casting: The moment a name is attached to this role, the movie is officially "real." This will be the signal that pre-production has finished and filming is imminent.
- The Release Window: Expect a late 2026 or early 2027 release date announcement soon. With the director's other projects (like the Highlander reboot) also on the table, the schedule is tight.
- The Video Game Connection: While the movie is based on the novel, don't be surprised if there are visual nods to Rainbow Six Siege. The gaming community is a huge part of this brand's modern footprint.
The wait has been long, but the pieces are finally moving. Transitioning from a solo revenge flick to a global tactical franchise is a heavy lift. If Stahelski and Jordan can pull it off, we might finally get the definitive Tom Clancy cinematic universe we've been promised for decades.
Check back for casting updates as they break, because once this train starts moving, it’s going to be impossible to miss.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch for Casting News: Keep tabs on Deadline or The Hollywood Reporter for the "Ding" Chavez announcement.
- Revisit the Source: Read the Rainbow Six novel to see just how much ground the movie has to cover—it's an 800-page beast.
- Monitor Outlier Society: Watch Michael B. Jordan’s production company announcements for more details on his Amazon/MGM roadmap.