After delivering audiences thrilling horror pics like “Ready or Not” and the previous two “Scream” installments, filmmakers Radio Silence—the moniker behind directors Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, with their producer partner Chad Villella— is back this week with the release of their new vampire flick “Abigail” (April 19). And the filmmaking collective has confirmed recent rumors to Entertainment Weekly that they are indeed working on “Ready or Not 2” for Searchlight Pictures, revealing that they have a gangbusters script for the sequel.
“It’s getting figured out,” Gillett told EW when the subject of a “Ready or Not” sequel was brought up. “That’s what we’ll say: ‘Ready or Not 2’ is getting figured out. What we can say is that there is a script that is an absolute f—ing banger of a sequel. However, it gets made, and in whatever capacity we are helping get it made, we are so excited that it’s happening. That movie is truly the love of our creative lives in a lot of ways.”
The InSneider first reported on the sequel development last month and mentioned that “Escape Room” and “Insidious: The Last Key” director Adam Robitel was selected to helm it, with Aussie scream queen actress Samara Weaving returning in the lead (though Radio Silence didn’t speak to directing details).
“I don’t think we knew after making [‘Ready or Not’] that there would be so much story left to tell,” Gillett said of the sequel’s development. “We’re so proud of what that first movie is; we’re so proud of what the sequel is,” he added. “We’re just really excited, and fingers crossed that it gets made.”
“And with Searchlight and Samara, they’re not gonna let it down,” Bettinelli-Olpin added, confirming the actresses’ return to the franchise.
If you’re not familiar with the original installment, the satirical horror pic follows a young bride (Weaving) as she joins her new husband’s (Mark O’Brien) wealthy, eccentric family (played by Adam Brody, Henry Czerny, and Andie MacDowell) in a time-honored tradition that turns into a lethal game with everyone fighting for their survival.
“Ready or Not 2” is just one of many high-profile projects Radio Silence is currently working on. 20th Century Studios previously tasked them to help with the studio’s long-gestating remake/reboot of “Escape From New York,” based on the John Carpenter-directed dystopian action films led by actor Kurt Russell. They have previously called the project a “continuation,” but Russell might not want to reprise the Snake Plissken role without any substantial creative involvement from Carpenter. It’s unknown what the current status is on “Escape From New York” and when it goes in front of cameras, but perhaps that’s why they’re reportedly not returning for the “Ready Or Not” sequel.