🎬 Rampage 2 could charge into theaters in late 2025—if we imagine Dwayne Johnson and Brad Peyton overcame scheduling hurdles post-Rampage’s 2018 success. Johnson might reprise Davis Okoye, the primatologist with a knack for chaos, now facing a fresh genetic nightmare after George the gorilla’s Chicago rampage. Picture an opening in a rebuilt San Diego Zoo: a covert lab’s CRISPR experiment goes haywire, unleashing a mutated rhino and a winged jaguar, with Davis racing to stop them before they hit LA. Johnson’s 2023 tease of sequel potential (Geektown) and Peyton’s openness to return (same) fuel this speculative fire.

The narrative might pivot from Rampage’s pathogen fallout—Energyne’s remnants, led by a vengeful Harvey Russell (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), weaponize new creatures to settle scores. A mid-film twist could see George, healed but wary, reluctantly teaming with Davis again, dodging Naomie Harris’s Dr. Kate Caldwell, now a whistleblower hunted by her own tech. The climax might erupt on the Hollywood sign, beasts clashing as Davis quips through explosions—a nod to Johnson’s San Andreas flair. It risks retreading Rampage’s monster mash, but sharper stakes (global bio-threat?) could lift it, per X fans craving “bigger beasts.”

Thematically, it could wrestle with trust and tampering—Davis questioning science’s ethics as Kate’s redemption arc unfolds, echoing Jurassic World’s cautionary vibe. George’s bond with Davis, strained by past trauma, might anchor the heart, while Russell’s rogue turn probes loyalty’s cost. X posts split on need—“Rampage was enough” versus “The Rock vs. a rhino? Sold!”—but Johnson’s producer Hiram Garcia noted in 2022 (Collider) studios want sequels; it’s Johnson’s call to prioritize (Red One, Jumanji). A lean script could dodge the “all spectacle” trap Rampage caught (51% Rotten Tomatoes).

Visually, expect Peyton’s chaos dialed up—LA’s sprawl as a monster playground, shot with Fury Road’s practical-CGI blend. Rhino charges through traffic and jaguar dives from skyscrapers could dazzle, with Weta Digital (rumored via fan boards) refining George’s scars and roars. Brian Tyler’s score might remix Rampage’s pulse with urban grit, though a $150 million budget—up from $120 million—risks CGI bloat over stunts (Johnson flipping a Jeep stays key). Posts on X dream of “4K beast fights,” but execution’s make-or-break.

Casting locks in Johnson, Harris, and Morgan, with Jack Quaid’s Connor potentially back as comic relief—his The Boys fame a draw. A new villain (Idris Elba as a bio-engineer?) could spice it, while George’s grunts (motion-capped by Jason Liles) steal scenes. The ensemble’s tight—Johnson’s charm, Harris’s steel—but Peyton’s history with Johnson (Journey 2, San Andreas) must avoid phoning it in. Garcia’s 2022 hesitance—“we told a great story already”—hints at risk, yet Johnson’s January 2025 Prime Video drop of Rampage (Screen Rant) might reignite buzz.

Ultimately, Rampage 2 (2025)—purely hypothetical—would chase $500 million, leaning on Johnson’s box-office clout amid a crowded slate (Moana live-action, July 2026). Real-world hurdles—Johnson’s packed 2025 (Red One promo, Fast rumors)—make 2026 likelier, with no studio greenlight beyond fan trailers (e.g., Warner Bros. Fandom’s fake 2026 date). It could roar as a dumb-fun sequel if it ups the ante, or flop as a Skyscraper-style misfire if it’s just “big meets bigger” again. For now, it’s a beast still caged, awaiting The Rock’s nod.