Last year, when Australian twin filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou—best known previously for their YouTube channel “RackaRacka”— released their debut feature horror film “Talk to Me,” it not only managed to rake in an impressive $92 million against a budget of $4.5 million, but it also garnered rave reviews and announced the arrival of two bold new voices that would surely reinvigorate the genre. The film remains A24’s highest-grossing horror film ever (read our review).
While development is still underway on that film’s sequel, “Talk 2 Me,” we have now learned that actress Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins has joined the cast of the Philippou brothers’ upcoming original horror film called “Bring Her Back,” which will be produced and distributed by A24 once again.
The Philippous are also teaming back up with their “Talk To Me” producers Samantha Jennings and Kristina Ceyton (known for the Aussie horror “The Babadook”), As of right now, there are no plot details being given for the film, but production is scheduled to commence sometime this summer.
Additionally, the duo is set to direct a feature film adaptation of the popular video game series “Street Fighter,” but it’s expected to take a backseat while the two work on “Bring Her Back” as well as the “Talk to Me” sequel.
Hawkins is a two-time Oscar nominee, one for Guillermo del Toro’s 2017’s fantasy film, “The Shape of Water” which won the Academy Award for Best Picture that year, the other for her supporting turn in Woody Allen’s 2012 drama “Blue Jasmine.” Hawkins was most recently appeared in “Wonka” which grossed a terrific $632.3 million worldwide.
Although nothing is official, A24 is expected to shop the film around to international buyers at the upcoming Cannes Marche du Film.