Well, the rumors are true. Just a day after Focus Features announced “Werwulf,” another Robert Eggers project, got the green light, the “Nosferatu” director has lined up another upcoming movie. And, yes, it’s a sequel to “Labyrinth,” which Eggers has been connected to since his latest hit theaters last Christmas.
Deadine reports that Eggers closed a deal with Tristar Pictures today to write and direct a follow-up to the 1986 fantasy film. The project sees him reunite with producers Chris and Eleanor Columbus, who also back “Nosferatu” and “Werwulf,” alongside Lisa Henson. Brian Henson is also on board as an executive producer. Also back in the fold is Icelandic novelist Sjón. He’ll co-write the sequel with Eggers, their third collaboration after 2022’s “The Northman” and “Werwulf.’
The news of Eggers’ “Labyrinth” film comes on the heels of him downplaying rumors of him doing a sequel or reboot, telling ComicBook that “I always have a ton of things in development” and “I definitely want the next film I make to be an original movie.” Well, this news proves Egger is true to his word: “Werwulf,” his next film, is an original story set in 13th century England, and “Labyrinth” was indeed in development. But Egger’s “Labyrinth” movie likely won’t reach audiences until 2027 at the earliest. Universal currently has “Werwulf” slated for a Christmas 2026 theatrical release, so expect “Labyrinth 2” to arrive sometime after that.
TriStar has wanted to make a “Labyrinth” follow-up for some time now. While Jim Henson‘s 1986 original with Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie made only $34 million at the box office off a $25 million budget, it has a devoted cult following, with many considering it Henson’s greatest work. Scott Derrickson was poised to direct a follow-up in 2020 from a script by Maggie Levin, but it never materialized. Now Eggers, fresh off the biggest box office hit of his young career, will take the reins on the project.
But the awards season success of “Nosferatu” also plays into Eggers and TriStar’s “Labyrinth” deal. Egger’s latest got four Oscar nods this morning: in cinematography, costume design, production design, and makeup and hairstyling. Those are all crucial areas for a movie about Goblin Kings and magical creatures. And TriStar, much like Focus with “Werwulf,” no doubt believes Eggers will bring “Nosferatu”-like numbers to a new “Labyrinth” film. Eggers’ vampire movie currently sits at $156.8 million at the box office, over three times its budget, and its PVOD release will increase that number. It’s almost certain that “Nosferatu” will surprass $100 million domestically, and it needs less than $40 million more to overtake “Downton Abbey” as Focus’s most lucrative title ever.
Those are great numbers of a niche genre title, which a “Labyrinth” sequel undoubtedly is. Stay tuned for more details about this project as Spring approaches.
