It’s been 20 years since Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon introduced audiences to an unconventional new slasher icon, and fans have clamored for a sequel since. After multiple false starts, it’s now official: the long-awaited sequel is finally moving forward.
Behind the Mask director Scott Glosserman and writer David J. Stieve have confirmed sequel Behind the Mask II: The Return of Leslie Vernon at a special 20th anniversary screening at Alamo Drafthouse in downtown LA tonight.
The news was first reported by Variety tonight.
Not only will Glosserman and Stieve return for the sequel, but Behind the Mask II also reunites original stars Nathan Baesel, Angela Goethals, and Robert Englund, returning as Leslie Vernon, Taylor Gentry, and Doc Halloran, respectively.
In the 2006 meta-slasher, “The next great psycho horror slasher has given a documentary crew exclusive access to his life as he plans his reign of terror over the sleepy town of Glen Echo.”
Glosserman stated, “For twenty years, people have asked if Leslie would ever come back. The truth is, he never really left. Fans kept this movie alive by sharing it, quoting it, introducing it to their friends, and treating it like something worth holding onto. This sequel is happening because of them.”
As part of that process, the filmmakers are launching a Kickstarter campaign that invites fans to participate directly in the making of Behind the Mask II.
The film is already moving forward, but the campaign is meant to bring in the community that kept Leslie Vernon alive for twenty years to help shape how big and ambitious the sequel can be.
“We’re making the movie either way,” Glosserman promises. “But the more the audience gets involved, the bigger we can make it. Bigger set pieces. More cameos. More surprises. This has always been a fan-driven film, and it still is.”
Paper Street Pictures, led by Aaron B. Koontz and Cameron Burns, produces the sequel. Adam F. Goldberg (The Goldbergs, Shelby Oaks) will also serve as an executive producer.
Glosserman added, “Aaron, Cam, and the entire Paper Street team never stopped believing there was more story to tell with Leslie. Their support and persistence over the years made a huge difference in getting us here. They’ve built a home for bold horror filmmakers, and I couldn’t imagine making this sequel with anyone else.”
Now we wait to see how well Leslie Vernon has kept up with his cardio all those years. Stay tuned for more on this long-gestating sequel as it arrives. It’s expected sometime in 2027.
