Michiel Blanchart, the critically acclaimed Belgian filmmaker, is set to direct New Line Cinema’s highly anticipated follow-up to the box-office phenomenon, Final Destination: Bloodlines. Sources indicate the deal has not been signed yet. However, Blanchart is at the top of the list following an intense search.
The stakes for this next chapter are exceptionally high. Final Destination: Bloodlines, released in May, achieved unprecedented success for the enduring horror franchise. It secured the best opening weekend in the six-film series’ history, ultimately becoming the highest-grossing entry in the 25-year-old franchise. The film has currently grossed over $314.6 million worldwide, and it is still awaiting its premiere in Japan.
Blanchart’s selection is a bold move, signaling New Line’s commitment to fresh, distinct directorial vision. Despite having only one feature credit, his work is already heavily decorated. His short film, You’re Dead, Hélène (T’es morte, Hélène), was shortlisted in the Best Live-Action Short Film category at the 2023 Academy Awards. That short is about a man trying to get rid of his ghost girlfriend. It is already slated for an English-language adaptation at TriStar, with horror legend Sam Raimi producing.
His feature directorial debut, Night Call (Le nuit se traine), a 2024 action crime thriller, drew strong notices for its high-tension, Collateral-like style coupled with timely social commentary. The film swept the Magritte Awards—the Belgian equivalent of the Oscars—earlier this year, winning 10 of its 11 nominations. Blanchart personally took home the statues for Best Film, Best First Feature Film, Best Screenplay, and Best Director. His ability to blend high-stakes genre elements with compelling emotional depth makes him an exciting fit for the Final Destination universe.
Lori Evans Taylor, who co-wrote Bloodlines with Gary Busick, is currently penning the script for the new installment. Returning producers include Craig Perry, the long-time franchise steward, and franchise veteran Sheila Hanahan Taylor. They are joined by Jon Watts (known for the Spider-Man trilogy) and his wife Dianne McGunigle, along with Toby Emmerich. Warren Zide serves as an executive producer. Unfortunately, directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, who steered Bloodlines to its record success, have opted not to return.
The Final Destination franchise always sees characters narrowly escape a cataclysmic event after one has a premonition, only for Death to pursue and claim the surviving victims one by one.
Watch Final Destination: Bloodlines now on pretty much every major streaming service. We’ll keep you posted as more information surfaces for Final Destination 7.
