New Line Cinema is moving forward with a follow-up to its successful 2016 supernatural thriller, appointing Connor Osborn McIntyre to craft the screenplay. The original movie's producer, Lawrence Grey, is reprising his role, with Eric Heisserer and David F. Sandberg, who served as the first film's writer and director respectively, also joining the production team. Ben Everard and Lotta Losten are listed as additional producers, alongside James Wan's Atomic Monster banner, which was involved in the initial production.
The first "Lights Out" marked Sandberg's directorial debut, building on his prior short film. It depicted a ghostly presence that preys from the shadows, tormenting a family. The cast included Teresa Palmer, Maria Bello, Gabriel Bateman, and Alexander DiPersia. Details regarding the narrative direction for "Lights Out 2" remain undisclosed at this time. The initial film was a financial hit for New Line, achieving a global box office of $149 million against a production cost of under $5 million, prompting previous attempts at developing a sequel with various writers.
McIntyre is a rising talent in screenwriting, recognized for his work on "Animals," an upcoming dramatic thriller featuring Ben Affleck, Gillian Anderson, Steven Yeun, and Kerry Washington. His unproduced script, "American Midnight," earned a spot on last year's Black List and was acquired by Netflix, with Vertigo Entertainment and Spooky Pictures set to produce. Furthermore, his earlier work, "Copenhagen," was purchased by Makeready and Fifth Season. McIntyre's growing portfolio showcases a promising future in the film industry, highlighting his aptitude for crafting compelling narratives.