The 1995 cyberpunk thriller Hackers, a cult favorite among millennials, may be getting a sequel. Nearly three decades after its initial release, discussions are actively underway to revisit the world of digital rebellion, according to recent comments from both director Iain Softley and actor Matthew Lillard.
Lillard, speaking at an event promoting his new vodka brand GHOST FACE VODKA on February 9th, shared that Softley has a script in development. “Well, I know that Iain Softley has a script that he’s been working on,” Lillard said, as reported by ComicBook.com. “And he and I both discussed it recently, that it’s a better time now than ever to make that film. I mean, you know, I don’t know if you’re getting Angelina Jolie and Johnny Miller, but I am definitely available and prepared to hack the planet.”
The original Hackers follows Dade Murphy (played by a young Leonardo DiCaprio), a teenage hacking prodigy framed for a major financial crime. The film gained a devoted following for its stylish visuals, energetic soundtrack, and depiction of hacker culture, even if its technical accuracy was often debated. While it wasn’t a box office smash, grossing just $7.5 million against a $20 million budget, it has endured as a touchstone for a generation fascinated by the burgeoning digital world.
Softley himself has been considering a return to the franchise for some time. In a 2020 interview with Collider, coinciding with the film’s 25th anniversary, he stated that a sequel was “being actively considered.” He noted that the current landscape of technology, particularly the rise of big data and its influence on politics and finance, makes a revisiting of the Hackers universe particularly relevant. “It was a much more simple landscape at the time, in 1995,” Softley explained. “It’s much more complex [now]. It’s much more dangerous that it would become outdated almost as soon as the film’s released.”
The director acknowledged the challenges of updating the film for a modern audience, given the significant evolution of hacking and cybersecurity since 1995. However, he believes the core themes of the original – challenging authority, fighting for freedom of information, and the power of collective action – remain potent. He suggested the need for a new “Knights of the Round Table” to address the contemporary threats posed by data manipulation, and control.
The potential sequel comes at a time of renewed interest in 90s nostalgia and cyberpunk aesthetics. The success of shows like Mr. Robot, which offered a more realistic and nuanced portrayal of hacking, demonstrates an audience appetite for stories exploring the intersection of technology and social justice.
While Lillard’s comments suggest a willingness from key creative personnel, the project remains in the early stages of development. Securing the participation of original cast members like Angelina Jolie and Johnny Miller is uncertain. However, Lillard’s enthusiastic affirmation of his own availability signals a genuine desire to recapture the spirit of the original film.
The question of whether a Hackers sequel can successfully balance nostalgia with contemporary relevance remains to be seen. The original’s appeal lay in its optimistic vision of a digital frontier. A modern iteration would need to grapple with the darker realities of the internet age – surveillance, misinformation, and the concentration of power in the hands of tech giants – while still retaining the energy and idealism that made the first film a cult classic.
As of February 22, 2026, no studio has officially greenlit the project, and a release date remains undetermined. However, the continued conversations and expressed interest from key figures suggest that a return to the world of Hackers is a distinct possibility.
