Den Of Thieves 2: Pantera ending explained - Nick's plans to betray, the heist and Donnie's escape

Donnie (O'Shea Jackson Jr.) was revealed to be orchestrating everything in the first film and Nick (Gerard Butler) finds him again in Den of Thieves 2: Pantera. But this time they bond over a plan involving diamonds. Little does Donnie know that he is being played by Nick this time.

The sequel to the 2018 heist film is inspired by one true event, the Antwerp diamond heist, where the original robbers swiped in some $100 million worth of assets. Christian Gudegast returned to the director and the writer's chair, though he wasn't accompanied by Paul Scheuring for the latter.

Gerard Butler has expressed his interest in making another sequel and the film's ending might suggest so as it sets up the foundation for the upcoming adventure. However, one should know there isn't official confirmation yet for a Den of Thieves 3. So, we will take a look at what went on in the end to understand the twists and turns in the film.

Mild spoilers from the film will follow. Reader discretion is advised.

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Nick played Donnie in Den of Thieves 2: Pantera

There are a couple of meanings to this in Den of Thieves 2: Pantera. Big Nick played Donnie as he was the mastermind this time. So the story advances with Nick tracking down Donnie owing to Merriman's widow Holly (Meadow Williams), who reluctantly reveals his location.

Big Nick is then introduced to the Panthers group, who tries to pull off a heist at the World Diamond Center. Everything goes right and Nick is accepted for the ultimate plan. However, another mafia group has eyes on Donnie, who, at the beginning of Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, unknowingly stole a diamond that belongs to a mafia don.

Everything goes according to the Panthers' plan, from mapping the vault holding the diamond they are after to stealing it (alongside some big bags of cash). The mafia again enters the game in a chase sequence as they escape. This is where Nick and Donnie should've died but narrowly escaped.

They have pulled the heist, and Big Nick is celebrating with his new gang. And here comes the twist: French authorities. It turns out that Nick is still the legal hunter he was in the first film.

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The real twist that lays the foundation for Den of Thieves 3

Donnie gets a promotion in Den of Thieves 2: Pantera; of course, he is working for the real mafia now. Following the reveal that Big Nick was playing along with the Panthers, Donnie is sent to prison. Now that he is being transferred somewhere else, the mafia from whom he stole the diamond in the beginning breaks him free.

They seem to be men of culture, impressed by Donnie's little tricks and no longer want him on the table with them. Now Big Nick might be involved here too. He visits Donnie in the prison; he gives Donnie certain instructions to sit in the helicopter; he smiles knowing that Donnie's free. What are the chances?

Now this is where Den of Thieves 3 might pick up, though there aren't any details on the plot. But then Donnie is someone who likes challenges more than wealth so the sequel is likely to see him taking on another adventure.

Although Den of Thieves is a different movie than 1995's The Usual Suspects, there is something we can connect. Kevin Spacey's character was the orchestrator all along but it is revealed only later in the movie. Donnie's character is somewhat the same, thankfully. Den of Thieves 2: Pantera gives us a follow-up story of this devil.

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Also Read: Will there be a Den of Thieves 3? Speculations explored