Cool Runnings 2 to reportedly see a brand-new all-female team take the icy track

Over three decades after Jamaica’s first wild dash onto the icy stage with Cool Runnings, Disney’s ultimate feel-good sports story may be strapping in for a frosty encore. This time, with an all-female crew steering the sled. Reports from the industry suggest a Cool Runnings sequel that trades the 1993 film’s four-man hustle for a women-led team, channeling the grit and glory of Jamaica’s real-life female bobsled debut at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Revealed by Daniel RPK, an industry insider, the long-awaited sequel will take a twist to its previous ensemble. Disney’s keeping mum for now, but the thought of a fresh, fearless squad hurtling down the track has fans already bracing for another joyride through snow, speed, and pure underdog magic.

More details about Cool Runnings

Starring Leon, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Lewis, Malik Yoba, and the late, great John Candy in his final role, Cool Runnings blended slapstick humor with genuine grit. Jimmy Cliff’s sunny cover of “I Can See Clearly Now” sealed the vibe, climbing to number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Set in 1987, the film follows Jamaican sprinter Derice Bannock (Leon), whose Summer Olympics dream crashes during the trials. A photo in an official’s office sparks an idea: if track is closed, why not take a run at winter? Enter Irv Blitzer (Candy), a former Olympic champion disgraced for cheating, and a ragtag crew: pushcart racer Sanka Coffie (Doug), timid rich kid Junior Bevil (Lewis), and hard-edged Yul Brenner (Yoba).

Their sled is ancient, their training spot is tropical, and their competition is merciless. Still, they barrel toward Calgary’s icy track, facing jeers, wipeouts, and self-doubt before winning something better than gold: respect.

Behind the scenes, Cool Runnings started as a straight sports drama with the working title Blue Maaga. Directors Jeremiah S. Chechik and Brian Gibson were in and out before Turteltaub took over. Leon signed on in 1989, Doug and Yoba a year later, and Lewis, initially approached as a dialect coach, joined late in 1992.

Filming began in Kingston and Discovery Bay, Jamaica, before moving to Calgary in early 1993, with real ABC Olympic footage woven into the final cut. Production wasn’t without frostbite. Turteltaub wanted authentic Jamaican accents, but Disney’s Jeffrey Katzenberg worried American audiences wouldn’t follow.

After a standoff, Turteltaub relented to keep his job. Script rewrites amped up the comedy, leaning into the mismatched-team charm.

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Critics praised its warmth, humor, and heart, and it went on to earn $154.9 million worldwide. Decades later, Cool Runnings still stands as proof that even the unlikeliest dreams can cross the finish line, sometimes upside down, but always standing tall.

Cool Runnings is now available to stream on Disney+.

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