Unni Mukundan Shelves ‘Marco 2’ After OTT Backlash: “Too Much Negativity”
The actor confirms there's “absolutely no chance” of a sequel to the controversial action hit Marco, following widespread criticism and censorship.

Malayalam cinema’s poster boy for brooding badasses, Unni Mukundan, has officially pulled the plug on Marco 2 — the planned sequel to 2024’s hyper-violent, hyper-macho action-thriller Marco. And the reason? “Too much negativity,” the actor said in a now-viral Instagram Q&A that felt more like a mic drop than a PR spin.
So yeah, the Marco cinematic universe (MCU?) is no more. Pour one out.
That Insta Story That Ended a Franchise
It happened pretty casually. No press release, no teaser trailer fake-out. Just Unni replying to a fan who asked about Marco 2. His response was short, blunt, and kind of refreshing:
“Bro, apologies but I have dropped plans to continue the Marco series. Too much negativity around the project… I’ll try my best to bring something bigger and better.”
No drama, no fluff. Just vibes — and a clear message that he’s moving on.
Per India Today, Unni’s stance is solid. Times of India quoted him calling it an “absolutely no chance” situation. And that’s not him being moody — it’s strategic. Because the Marco discourse? It got ugly.
A Wild Ride From Box Office Hit To Digital Outrage
To rewind — Marco hit screens in December 2024, directed by Haneef Adeni and pitched as a spin-off to 2019’s Mikhael. Think grimy neo-noir, loud guns, louder men, and about 200 litres of fake blood.
Theatrically, it killed. ₹100–110 crore at the box office, and the title of highest-grossing A-rated Malayalam film ever. A certified grown-up blockbuster. But the glow didn’t last.
Because when Marco hit OTT, the backlash hit harder than a climax shootout.
From “Whoa!” To “Whoa There…”
OTT viewers weren’t ready. The film’s violence — stylised in theatres, perhaps — felt visceral at home. As one Redditor put it: “My mom hated the violence and was genuinely happy to hear there’s no sequel.” And that sentiment? It wasn’t niche.
Critics, parents, even some fans started calling it “one of the most violent Indian films ever made,” per Mathrubhumi. And not in a fun Tarantino way.
Enter: The CBFC and the Morality Police
The CBFC straight-up blocked Marco from airing on TV. Yep, too graphic for primetime. According to Cinema Express, the board even flagged it to government officials, sparking a mini-debate in Kerala about whether streaming platforms should tone it down.
Meanwhile, Marco’s producer Shareef Muhammed announced that he’d be toning down the violence in upcoming projects. As per New Indian Express, he admitted the backlash “crossed expectations,” and they’d rethink future scripts. Translation: less blood, more box office-friendly drama.
So What Killed ‘Marco 2’?
It wasn’t the numbers — those were solid. It wasn’t even the performances — Unni brought the grit. What killed it was the cultural conversation. Marco became shorthand for “how much is too much?” in Indian cinema.
Add to that a social media landscape where fans are hyper-engaged and quick to call out, and suddenly, building a Marco franchise started looking less like a flex and more like a PR nightmare.
Even Unni, never one to dodge a cinematic challenge, took the high road. His message to fans? “Thanks for the love… but let’s do something else.”
What’s Next for Unni?
The man’s clearly not done swinging. After all, his comment hinted at “something bigger and better than Marco.” Knowing Unni, it’ll probably still have some slow-mo gunplay and biceps on full display — but maybe minus the public outcry this time.
Insiders (and gossip accounts) are already whispering about a possible pan-India project, maybe even something with a mythological or historical twist. Nothing confirmed, but keep your eyes peeled.
Fandom’s Mixed Bag: Disappointed, But Also… Relieved?
Unsurprisingly, fan reactions have been split. Some are heartbroken — Marco had a certain style that tapped into that action-flick nostalgia. Think John Wick meets Kammatti Paadam, with a pinch of South Indian flair. It worked for a chunk of the audience.
But plenty of viewers — especially after the OTT drop — were more like, “Good call, bro.”
There’s something oddly satisfying about seeing an actor listen, reflect, and pivot. Especially in an industry where franchises often get dragged out whether fans want them or not (cough Satyameva Jayate 2 cough).
The Big Picture
Marco 2 isn’t happening. And maybe that’s okay.
Malayalam cinema’s been pushing boundaries lately — edgy thrillers, psychological horrors, political dramas that bite. Marco was part of that wave, but also a reminder that not every experiment lands cleanly.
Unni Mukundan made a call. Not just to protect his image, but to stay in tune with what audiences are really saying. In the end, that’s what separates stars from icons.
And with that, the Marco mythos is closed — no more rage, no more rain-soaked revenge montages. Just a sleek black-clad antihero walking into the sunset… and Unni already looking toward the next script.
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Saumya Srivastava is a Reporting Fellow at Hindustan Herald, focusing daily on captivating stories from the entertainment industry and evolving lifestyle segments. Currently pursuing her studies at BHU, Varanasi, Saumya combines her academic background with a passion for understanding and showcasing the diverse facets of modern living. Her daily articles aim to inform and inspire readers on everything from popular culture to personal well-being.