Is Set It Off 2 Happening? Everything We Know About the Potential Issa Rae Sequel
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Since its release in 1996, Set It Off has become a cultural touchstone. Directed by F. Gary Gray and starring Vivica A. Fox, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Kimberly Elise, the film broke ground by presenting four Black women as action heroines in a gritty, emotional heist story. Decades later, fans still talk about the movie’s impact—and wonder whether a sequel, Set It Off 2, could ever happen.
Is Set It Off 2 Confirmed?
As of now, Set It Off 2 has not been officially confirmed. Though there have been persistent rumors, no studio has greenlit the project. In 2019, however, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Issa Rae and her production partner Montrel McKay were developing a reimagining of the film. The script was said to be written by Syreeta Singleton and Nina Gloster.
While Singleton has mentioned the project in interviews as recently as 2025 while promoting her film One of Them Days, Issa Rae quickly distanced herself from the project. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight in 2019, she said she would “never remake a classic.” Since then, there has been no official word from any studio, and the project’s status remains unclear.
What Would Set It Off 2 Be About?
Since no official sequel has been confirmed, there are no concrete plot details. Early reports described the project as a “reimagining” rather than a direct sequel. That suggests a reboot with new characters and a modernized storyline.
In the original film, the four protagonists—each pushed to the edge by personal and economic hardship—turn to robbing banks. If the reboot sticks to this structure, it would need to reflect the current era, where technology like surveillance cameras, facial recognition, and advanced forensics make bank heists far more difficult.
Fans have speculated about what a modern version might look like. On Reddit, one user commented, “They better not touch the original unless they have something groundbreaking. Otherwise, just leave it alone.” On Twitter/X, a fan wrote, “If they bring back Set It Off, I hope it’s with a new cast, new story, but the same raw energy.” Others have suggested that a prequel could be more appropriate, exploring the characters’ lives before they turned to crime.
Will the Original Cast Return?
Unfortunately for longtime fans, a return of the original cast is highly unlikely. Queen Latifah’s character, Cleo, dies in the original film, and the actress has since joked about having a “no-death clause” in her contracts to avoid missing out on sequels. In 2020, she said on The Late Late Show with James Corden, “I’m starting to die too good in these movies, and if I die, I can’t be in the sequel.”
Kimberly Elise, whose character was one of the few to survive, expressed little interest in returning. Speaking to BET, she said, “I think the movie is classic in itself and it doesn’t need anything else. I would rather reassemble with those actresses and do something different together, maybe create another classic.”
Vivica A. Fox was even more direct. During her appearance on The Sherri Shepherd Show in 2024, she firmly shut down the idea: “No. Absolutely not. It’s a classic!”
Jada Pinkett Smith echoed this sentiment in a 2020 interview with Where Is The Buzz, saying, “It’s a classic, it’s done.” However, she did leave the door open for a new version with a fresh cast: “I’m sure someone will eventually do something new with the concept. Just don’t try to copy us.”
Is Issa Rae Still Involved?
Despite being initially attached as a producer in 2019, Issa Rae has publicly denied ongoing involvement with the project. While she was rumored to star in or produce the reboot, Rae clarified that she would not be participating in any remake of a classic film. Still, she remains the only person loosely linked to the possible new version.
Interestingly, fan reactions to her rumored involvement are mixed. On Instagram, a user commented, “If anyone could carry this torch, it’s Issa Rae. But only if she wants to—it’s a heavy legacy.” Others expressed concern, with one Facebook commenter saying, “Remakes rarely do justice. Don’t mess with perfection.”
What Do Fans Think?
Across platforms, the sentiment is clear: fans are protective of Set It Off and cautious about a sequel or reboot. On TikTok, videos with the hashtag #SetItOff2 rack up thousands of views, often accompanied by fans reenacting scenes or debating casting choices. One popular TikTok creator said, “We love Issa Rae, but we don’t need another Set It Off—we need a new story with the same spirit.”
On YouTube, comment sections under retrospective reviews often turn into discussions about whether a sequel should happen at all. One fan wrote, “If they can create something fresh that honors the original’s legacy, I’m in. Otherwise, let sleeping legends lie.”
While Set It Off 2 remains unconfirmed, the legacy of the original film continues to resonate. With no cast or studio attached, and with key players like Issa Rae distancing themselves from the project, it seems that any sequel or reboot is still a long shot.
For now, fans can only wait—and perhaps rewatch the 1996 classic that inspired a generation. Whether Set It Off gets a second chapter or not, its place in cinema history is already secured.
