Kane Parsons to direct Backrooms 2 for A24
Director Kane Parsons will helm the sequel to his hit horror film 'Backrooms' for A24, following the original's massive financial success.
Kane Parsons has signed on to direct Backrooms 2, a sequel to his breakout horror hit for A24. The 20-year-old filmmaker's next project was confirmed in an exclusive report by Dread Central, with an official studio announcement expected soon.
The original Backrooms film has become the most successful in A24's history. It earned approximately $400 million globally from a production budget of just $10 million. The movie, a 90s-set chiller about characters exploring a eerie liminal space, was adapted from Parsons's own series of viral YouTube videos.
A24's Record-Breaking Hit
The film's performance is unprecedented for the independent studio. Its financial return far surpasses any other title in A24's catalog. Industry reports from this past summer indicated A24 moved quickly to secure Parsons's future, signing him to a deal worth $65 million to prevent him from being hired by rival studios.
Parsons had been linked to a different project prior to this sequel confirmation. He was reportedly set to collaborate with writer-director Osgood Perkins, known for Longlegs and The Monkey. That project, with Perkins writing and Parsons directing, now appears to have been postponed.
The Path to a Sequel
Backrooms 2 will be Parsons's first film under his new multi-million dollar agreement with A24. The first film concluded with several narrative threads left open for continuation. These include the mysteries surrounding the secretive company Async. It is not yet confirmed if stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve will return for the sequel.
The original Backrooms defied expectations for a film based on an internet meme, avoiding the fate of projects like 2018's Slender Man. Critics noted its deceptive intelligence and melancholic tone, which preserved the uncanny feeling of Parsons's original online shorts.
Parsons was still a teenager when A24 recruited him to adapt his YouTube series into a feature film. His technically accomplished debut has now set the stage for a highly anticipated follow-up. The studio is prioritizing this sequel over other potential projects for the young director.
No release window or production start date for Backrooms 2 has been announced. Further details are expected when A24 makes its official statement.
