The highly anticipated sequel, Bank of Dave 2: The Loan Ranger, is set to premiere on Netflix on January 10, 2023, following the success of its predecessor, which captivated audiences with its heartwarming story grounded in real events. The sequel delves deep again with Burnley-based Dave Fishwick, who takes on predatory lenders, addressing the pressing issue of payday loan companies charging exorbitant interest rates, reaching up to 5,000%.
On January 5, the world premiere took place amid snowy weather, where Dave Fishwick himself made quite the entrance, wearing wellies and carrying a shovel just to make sure he could dig his way out if needed. "I think this is the only premiere ever in the history where the guy who is in it has turned up with his wellies on, with a shovel, in a bus," Fishwick mused, displaying his characteristic charm and humor.
Producers describe the new installment as being "true-ish," which allows for creative storytelling, yet the core struggle against payday loan companies remains the film’s focus. This new adventure sees Fishwick — portrayed by Hollywood actor Rory Kinnear — teaming up with Jessica, an American investigative journalist, and local Citizen's Advice counselor Oliver. Together, they challenge practices viewed as exploitative, aiming to restore hope to their community.
According to Dave Fishwick, "It is unbelievably surreal to be here again with another Hollywood movie. Netflix has been awesome. We are looking at a really important subject, which is payday loans," underlining the film’s relevance today. The narrative evolves from his earlier challenge against the banking system to confronting payday lenders who create burdensome debts for vulnerable individuals.
Returning producer Lauren Cox reflects on Fishwick’s passion for fighting these financial predatory practices. "Dave Fishwick himself was always very interested in telling the story about his battle against the payday loan companies, as it was his next mission after opening the bank. He genuinely got heavily involved in shutting them down," she shared, capturing the essence of Fishwick's narrative.
Filming for the sequel predominantly took place in Burnley, including scenes within Fishwick’s own home, which, according to Cox, remained remarkably unchanged since the first shoot. "We’d brought in props and decor, and they did keep quite a lot," she noted, highlighting the film’s connection to its setting and community.
Actor Rory Kinnear expressed his excitement about returning to the role, noting how important the first film’s reception was and the desire to present audiences with another film matching its emotional weight. "The fact we had such an overwhelming response from the first film motivated all of us to create something equally as valuable and impactful for audiences," he stated, adding, "It has been nice talking about how to make this film and what we want to keep the same, but also how to grow it and show the payday loan industry is not just a UK issue but these things happen all over the world."
While the film promises to maintain the heartfelt spirit of the original, it introduces new adventures and challenges for Fishwick and his team. "It has the same sort of outlook of sticking up for each other and looking out for your fellow man and woman," Kinnear explained, emphasizing the underlying theme of community support.
During promotional appearances, Fishwick humorously acknowledged the film's imaginative elements, particularly the moments involving musical legends like Def Leppard. He shared, "That bit is slightly magical, but Rory is not a bad singer—he is brilliant!" He recounted how his impromptu connection with the band inspired real moments featured within Bank of Dave 2, showing how intertwined his life story is with the film.
Overall, Bank of Dave 2: The Loan Ranger not only offers audiences entertainment but also presents serious commentary on pressing social issues, particularly the impact of payday lenders on communities. With Fishwick leading the charge, the sequel promises to deliver emotional storytelling with comedic twists and heartfelt moments, ensuring both laughter and reflection.
Fans of the first film and newcomers alike can look forward to experiencing this compelling tale when it lands on Netflix on January 10.