Considering how the first Piranha 3D ended, it’s not at all surprising that Piranha 3D will be getting a sequel.  But still, considering that the original hasn’t been in theaters a week yet, and further considering that Alexandre Aja’s remake didn’t exactly clean house at the box office, it’s definitely a surprise to see how rapidly the sequel was approved.

But what actually put the sequel on the fast track was neither the ending nor the initial take…but the budget of the original.  See, Piranha 3D may have only taken in ten million in its opening weekend, but it only cost thirty million to make.  That’s spectacularly cheap by Hollywood standards, and makes it a pretty good bet to make a profit.  Hollywood is, after all, a business, and it has to be run like one.

So the takeaway here is: be cheap and make bank and you’ll be assured of a sequel.