With “The Invisible Man” arriving in theaters this week, director Leigh Whannell’s previous film, “Upgrade,” is back in the public consciousness. The 2018 film starring Logan Marshall-Green is a film that resonated quite well with certain film fans while flying under the radar for most. That said, the film does have a fairly decent cult following and is one of those movies that is consistently mentioned as deserving of a sequel. But according to a new interview, Whannell isn’t sure that it’s ever going to happen.
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Speaking to Fandom, while promoting his Universal Monsters reimagining, Whannell was asked about the possibility of an “Upgrade” sequel. And though it’s clear he’s interested (with a bigger budget, natch), there’s the hesitation that the demand is high enough to warrant it.
“A sequel is a champagne problem created by the success of a movie,” said Whannell. “So Hollywood economics dictates whether there’s going to be a sequel, and ‘Upgrade’… I wouldn’t exactly call it a monster hit. I’d call it a cult hit, and cult hits, when they look at the books of cult hits, they’re like ‘Nyah, sequel’. So we’ll see. I loved making that film, so I’d love to do it with a bit more money.”
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For those that missed “Upgrade” (and judging by its lackluster box office results, that’s most of you), the film followed the revenge story of a man that is paralyzed after a violent incident. Thanks to new, experimental technology, he’s implanted with an AI chip that gives him the use of his limbs again, but also the ability to let the AI take over and allow him to become a bit of a superhuman with enhanced speed and strength.
The film was released by low-budget maestro Jason Blum and Blumhouse Productions. And according to the producer, though Whannell is less optimistic, Blum is much more excited by the idea of a sequel.
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“I would love an ‘Upgrade’ sequel,” said Blum. “I will say that we haven’t put it to bed yet. We have no immediate plans, but ‘Upgrade’ is very much on my mind — and on Leigh’s mind as well.”
Obviously, based on how well “The Invisible Man” does, Whannell might be able to do whatever he pleases in the future. And if that means a bigger budget version of “Upgrade,” then maybe it will happen. Regardless, those horror fans interested in the writer-director’s work should definitely check out ‘Invisible Man.’ It’s pretty awesome, and does have a few “Upgrade”-ish moments.