No Hopes for ‘Elite Squad 3’

Let's be clear: we shouldn't expect to see "Elite Squad 3" anymore. Audiences who have seen the first two installments are convinced that they are the most commercially successful blockbusters of the 21st century in Brazil, or rather Latin America to date. The brilliant ending of the second installment is inspiring yet frustrating because of the utterly eroded (political and judicial) systems and the lack of improvement in the situation over 10 years. Moreover, director José Padilha and the male lead Wagner Moura have long since become the most sought-after artists in Latin American film and television shows on Netflix.

However, as early as 2011, during a press conference following the screening of "Elite Squad: The Enemy Within" at the Berlin International Film Festival, Padilha quickly dismissed the possibility of a third installment when asked about the continuity of the series. He stated, "I have already said everything I wanted to say about violence." Similarly, Moura, who played Captain Nascimento, candidly expressed in an interview with GQ magazine in September of that year that even if there were a third "Elite Squad" film, there would be no need for Captain Nascimento to appear. "The character has nowhere to go from the point of view of dramaturgy," he explained. It seems that even though Captain Nascimento could become a lucrative superhero franchise, the creators are unwilling to produce a subpar continuation just for the sake of profit.

Successful film and television productions that become major IPs are often built upon the original comics or novels, and "Elite Squad" is no exception. In 2006, the renowned Brazilian political scientist Luiz Eduardo Soares collaborated with two former BOPE commanders to publish the novel "Elite da Tropa." Shortly thereafter, Bráulio Mantovani, the screenwriter of "City of God," adapted the novel into a screenplay. Thus, it is clear that "Elite Squad" is a brilliant blend of fiction and reality, predominantly packed with real elements. BOPE, or Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais, is a special police unit under the Military Police of Rio de Janeiro. Its members are highly experienced in combat and equipped with the most powerful weaponry available.

Through media portrayals as well as long-standing ridicules from the residents of Rio, the notion that the police being unable to defeat drug dealers has almost become a stereotype associated with Brazil. Thus, through the novel and the two sensational hit movies, the deliberate exaggeration of an elite force that is disciplined, incorruptible, and ruthlessly effective—fighting violence with violence—is bound to be inspiring. Especially since this force combats a wide range of enemies, from rampant drug gangs to corrupt police units and NGOs manipulating the favelas to upper-class elite politicians, viewers might channel their hopes for eradicating the deep-seated toxic issues in Brazilian society into these righteous special police officers.

"Elite Squad" premiered in Rio on August 17, 2007, and soon after, pirated DVDs began circulating worldwide. Therefore, when it was awarded the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 16, 2008, many fans were puzzled, thinking, "Haven't we already watched it?" What they might not have realized is that the Berlinale's selection criteria at the time did not require films to have their world premiere there.

With the Golden Bear, an 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and nearly US$15 million in global box office revenue, "Elite Squad" became a critical and commercial triumph. Three years later, its sequel "Elite Squad: The Enemy Within" broke the curse of sequels being barely comparable to originals, achieving a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and grossing nearly US$64 million worldwide. This installment took a more pointed aim at electoral politics and even the governor of Rio himself. "The only good thug is a dead thug"— the sequel continues to emphasize and incite the necessity of fighting violence with violence through media and public sentiments. As the protagonist, Captain Nascimento says, "The power to enjoy peace comes from the ability to win wars."

However, he quickly realizes that winning battles would not resolve deep-rooted social issues, as the real battleground is not on the city streets but within the policy making and policy-manipulating legislative meeting systems. Even if his visible enemies, which are corrupt cops and politicians, were eliminated, the system itself would only be temporarily crippled. Its head and overarching body remain intact, and new depraved officials and officers would quickly fill the vacancies. "Tell me, who is responsible for stirring up all of this?" Nascimento's voice-over plays as the camera pans over the Brazilian National Congress Palace in the sequel's closing scene.

The film ends without solving the deep-rooted social issues, highlighting the complexity and challenge needed for such a task to be executed. This makes it clear that there is no need for a third installment.

Padilha later moved to Hollywood, where he directed two American films that received low-rated reviews, possibly due to cultural differences. However, within the familiar Latin American context, he continued to work on several successful TV series. His involvement in "The Mechanism," which chronicles Brazil's largest money-laundering operation, saw a swift recovery in his critical acclaim. Additionally, the "Narcos" series, where he served primarily as its executive producer, became a massive hit on Netflix. In the first two seasons, which focus on the rise and fall of the Medellín cartel, the infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar is portrayed by Moura, the same actor who plays the heroic Captain Nascimento in "Elite Squad."

Indeed, a YouTuber cleverly combined scenes from both "Elite Squad" and the first two seasons of "Narcos," creating a customized trailer titled "Elite Squad 3: Mission Narcos." This mashup essentially pits Portuguese-speaking special police forces against Spanish-speaking drug cartels, even portraying Moura as both a heroic and villainous character.

It's true that many directors, from Luc Besson to Quentin Tarantino, have often gone back on their word about quitting filmmaking. Even rumors about "The Godfather Part IV" occasionally surface. So, who knows? Perhaps one day, Padilha will indeed reunite with Moura and return to Rio to film "Elite Squad 3."