With the recent cameos of Dr. Horrible and Captain Hammer on the 61st Emmy Awards, there are rumors zooming across the Great Wide Interweb of a potential sequel to Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. In fact, during a recent interview to promote the second season of his FOX series Dollhouse (yes, we can’t believe it either), Whedon pretty much said that there would be a sequel. But, before you go screaming down the aisles of the comic book store repeating this good news, there are a few things to take into consideration.
The most important thing for Whedon right now is Dollhouse. Just like the rest of us, Whedon is probably flabbergasted that FOX gave the series a second season. Not because the show was bad (quite the contrary, according to our reviews). More because, unlike the fan-favorite Firefly, FOX renewed the show. So, most of Joss’ energies are going into Dollhouse to make sure it gets good ratings and, dare I say it, a third season.
The other thing that Whedon is considering is the budget for the next Dr. Horrible. According to Tubefilter, Whedon is looking for investors to start up a digital studio that would produce material for the Web. The studio, from what Whedon is saying, would produce four entries a year; two of them directed by The Whedon One himself. If he wants to move in this direction, then a sequel could be longer in waiting. Remember, we still have an economic slowdown going on.
However, I have to wonder if a splashier version of Dr. Horrible would work. The magic of the first series was that it was done by a Big Director on the Interweb for a small amount of money. Pumping more into it, making the story bigger with better special effects and grander musical numbers, may turn off some folks. Yes, even some of the most die-hard fans.
A final thing to consider is whether or not a certain redhead named Felicia Day would be returning for a sequel. Those who have watched Dr. Horrible know that Felicia’s character, Penny, had an unfortunate fate at the end of the series. Being a show produced and directed by Joss Whedon, there’s a good chance she would come back (um, Buffy or Angel, anyone?). Yet, with Felicia’s own web series (The Guild) doing so well, perhaps Penny wouldn’t come back at all.
This is all speculation, of course. No one knows what will happen to Dollhouse or to Joss’ plans for a new digital studio. All I can recommend is to just stay patient, watch your favorite Dr. Horrible characters on How I Met Your Mother and Castle, and re-watch the Hulu episodes or DVD. Your time will come soon enough.
Clacked by Richard Keller 
on Sep 25, 2009 @ 12:00 EST5EDT
