Movies
‘Orphan 3’ – William Brent Bell is Actively Developing a Sequel
William Brent Bell (The Boy, Separation) stepped into the director’s chair for Orphan: First Kill, a prequel film that solidified Esther’s killer icon status. The filmmaker revealed that he’s actively developing a follow-up, ensuring Esther’s killer hijinks will continue.
“We’re developing a third one now. The franchise’s rulebook has been opened up to where anything is possible,” Bell said in an interview with THR. “And knowing where we are in the process already, I’m extremely excited about the twists and turns that we have in store.”
The prequel, written by David Coggeshall, saw Isabelle Fuhrman reprising the role of Esther thanks to clever production trickery.
In Orphan: First Kill, “Esther’s terrifying saga continues in this thrilling prequel to the original and shocking horror hit, Orphan. After orchestrating a brilliant escape from an Estonian psychiatric facility, Esther travels to America by impersonating the missing daughter of a wealthy family. Yet, an unexpected twist arises that pits her against a mother who will protect her family from the murderous ‘child’ at any cost.”
Fuhrman faced off against Julia Stiles in the prequel movie, and Vera Farmiga in the original film. Who do you want to see Esther battle next?
While Bell didn’t divulge any plot details for the third entry, he did tease of its direction, “now that we’ve gone another direction with the second one, the franchise’s rulebook has been opened up to where anything is possible.” And, “knowing where we are in the process already, I’m extremely excited about the twists and turns that we have in store.”
After making $12.2 million worldwide in theaters in 2022 – the film only hit a maximum of 557 theaters at the height of its run here in the United States – it should come as no surprise that the franchise would likely return.
Stay tuned for more details as they arrive. In the meantime, Bell’s latest horror effort, Lord of Misrule, released on VOD and in theaters last week.
Andrzej Żuławski’s 1981 psychological horror movie Possession is getting a remake from Smile writer/director Parker Finn, and Deadline reports that The Batman actor Paul Dano has joined the cast.
No word at this time on character details, though.
The original film starred Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill as a married couple in Cold War-era West Berlin whose relationship spirals into a supernatural nightmare. In Finn’s update, Margaret Qualley and Callum Turner will star as the turbulent couple in Finn’s Possession, and Adjani has officially given her blessing on Qualley’s casting.
Parker Finn is writing and directing the new take on Possession.
He’s also producing alongside Jonathan Fass via Bad Feeling, along with Roy Lee and Andrew Childs via Vertigo, and Robert Pattinson. Marc Bienstock is serving as exec producer.
Our own Brian Keiper celebrated Possession‘s 40th anniversary here on BD back in 2021, writing: “Few movies depict emotional turmoil as effectively and daringly as Andrzej Zulawksi’s Possession. It is a challenging and sometimes inscrutable film, both for the mind and the emotions. Zulawski struggles through a number of deep issues throughout the course of the film; issues that speak to some of humanity’s deepest pains and fears. In many ways it is about loss— loss of political ideals, loss of faith, and loss of innocence. But most of all, Possession is about the fear, pain, and anger that comes from the loss of a marriage.”
This will mark Dano’s first horror role. The actor previously appeared in sci-fi hits Looper and Okja.
Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill in Possession
You must be logged in to post a comment.