Netflix's Atlas ending teases how a sequel with J.Lo could happen

Jennifer Lopez returned to Netflix on Memorial Day weekend with her brand new sci-fi thriller movie Atlas. In the action movie destined to be a huge hit, she plays the titular data analyst Atlas Shepherd, who in the future must reconcile her disdain for artificial intelligence to save humanity from a dangerous robot's potential reign of terror.

From the outside looking in, Atlas appears to be the kind of high-concept science-fiction action movie that could launch a potential franchise. While the ending of the film seemingly wraps up the movie's overall story and ties up the loose ends (no spoilers... yet!), there's a bit of an open ending that suggests a sequel could still be in the cards on Netflix. Let's get into how.

Warning: Spoilers ahead from the ending of Atlas on Netflix!

Atlas 2 isn't necessary but could still happen

By the end of the movie, Atlas does what she sets out to do. It's hard fought and nearly costs her her life on multiple occasions, but she stops Harlan (Simu Liu) once and for all. Elias (Sterling K. Brown) sacrifices himself to help Atlas, and she decides to finally fully trust Smith (her ARC) and sync with him. After she kills Harlan, Smith unfortunately doesn't make and shuts down... or does he?

When all of the dust has settled from her battle with Harlan, Atlas returns to work on Earth and seemingly isn't just a data analyst anymore. She boards a new ARC robot and speaks with its voice. Her new AI sounds like Smith and knows how she prefers her coffee. Smith is back! The dynamic duo are a team again, and Atlas apparently looks to take what she's learned about AI to a new field.

Seeing Atlas take on a new role opens up the door for Netflix to return to this world and go on a whole new mission for Atlas 2. Likewise, even though Harlan has died, throughout the movie, another robot named Casca doesn't die multiple times. This implies that Harlan could actually come back, and Atlas would have to further explore her link with Harlan and his motives for wiping out humanity. Whether it's with Harlan or a new enemy entirely, there are plenty of stories to tell in a sequel.

However, should a sequel never materialize, the movie leaves viewers feeling satisfied with the journey they went on with Lopez's character. She learns how to open herself up to new friends (even if they're robots) and stop blaming herself for both her mother's death and Harlan becoming a villain. She discovers the strength of connection and the strength within herself.

Netflix hasn't yet indicated an intention to franchise Atlas and produce a sequel or additional content in this fictional world, but there's definitely plenty of potential should the movie prove a massive success in viewership. Netflix is no stranger to ordering sequels and franchising its content, so we'll have to wait and see what the future holds for J.Lo's sci-fi movie!

Watch Atlas only on Netflix.