Back in 2016, a sequel to the smash-hit horror flick Lights Out was announced just a week after it hit theaters. Then, the project vanished into the shadows for ten full years.
The Hollywood Reporter has finally broken the silence, reporting that Lights Out 2 has officially come back to life at New Line. Up-and-coming writer Connor Osborne McIntyre (Animals) has been tapped to pen the screenplay.
The Team: Keeping the Monsters in the Family
The gang is getting back together to make sure you never sleep without a flashlight again. Producing the sequel are Lawrence Grey, Eric Heisserer (who wrote the original film, as well as Arrival and Bird Box), David F. Sandberg (director of the original film), and James Wan’s Atomic Monster (because you can’t have a modern studio horror hit without James Wan’s blessing).
For those who need a refresher, the 2016 original was David F. Sandberg’s feature directorial debut, expanded from his terrifying viral short film. It starred Teresa Palmer, Maria Bello, and Gabriel Bateman as a family terrorized by a supernatural entity that only appears in the pitch-black dark.
The Ten-Year Gap: A Growing Problem
Director David F. Sandberg actually commented on the massive delay last October, noting that any sequel script they had would need a massive rewrite simply because the actors had hit puberty.
“We did have a version of a sequel which it wouldn’t be if we do it now… that one took place shortly after [the original], but now Martin’s not a kid anymore, so it would have to take place, like, 10 years later.”
He was referring to actor Gabriel Bateman’s character, proving that while New Line took their sweet time turning the lights back on, the timeline might actually work in their favor.
What’s Next?
Plot details are still under wraps, but expect a lot of clicking light switches and terrified heavy breathing when this finally hits production. We’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, you can watch Light’s Out on Prime Video or Apple TV.
