In 2016, filmmaker David F. Sandberg created a horror movie for under $5 million that went on to gross an astounding $150 million worldwide, much to the delight of horror fans everywhere. Those impressive figures clearly weren’t forgotten, as it has now been officially confirmed that New Line is moving forward with a sequel to Lights Out.
Regarding the specifics, the studio has enlisted screenwriter Connor Osborn McIntyre to pen the script, and this is a notable choice. McIntyre is the writer behind Animals, the upcoming thriller directed by and starring Ben Affleck. Last year, his original screenplay American Midnight earned a coveted spot on the Black List—Hollywood’s annual compilation of the best unproduced screenplays—before quickly being acquired by Netflix.
Most of the original team is also making a return. Sandberg and screenwriter Eric Heisserer will produce alongside Lawrence Grey, who has been involved since the beginning, and James Wan’s Atomic Monster banner. This doesn’t feel like a studio simply reviving an old intellectual property; instead, it genuinely seems like the original creators are keen to revisit their acclaimed work.
What will the sequel be about? No one is saying. The plot details are currently being ‘kept in the dark’—a phrase someone clearly enjoyed writing! Lights Out originated as a terrifying short film Sandberg made with his wife, actress Lotta Losten, featuring a character who only appears when the lights go out. It’s a simple yet highly effective premise, and in my view, simple concepts executed exceptionally well are doubly impactful. To see if that holds true here, we’ll have to wait and see.
Have you seen the first film?