THE GRAND SCHEME
Director Todd Strauss-Schulson disclosed that financial constraints are the primary reason why the much-anticipated sequel to The Final Girls has not been greenlit, despite the original’s cult status. The creative minds behind the film have a sequel blueprint ready to go, with the cast eager to jump back in. However, movie studios haven’t bitten the bait. The envisioned sequel would escalate the horror by bringing the Camp Bloodbath menace into the realm of reality.
When the meta-horror comedy The Final Girls debuted in 2015, it left viewers clamoring for more as the end credits rolled. The narrative saw a band of friends trapped inside a quintessential ‘80s horror flick, battling for survival. The story cleverly segues into a sequel setup with the survivors stepping into the follow-up film, Camp Bloodbath: Cruel Summer, to the original movie within the movie. Despite this seemingly perfect pitch for a continuation, fans have been left in suspense without a concrete follow-up. During a chat with Perri Nemiroff of FilmSweep at the Scary Perri Horror Series hosted by Landmark Theatres, Strauss-Schulson unveiled the reasons for the delay and teased potential sequel concepts.
“Financially, it didn’t hit the mark for a sequel,” Strauss-Schulson remarks on the film’s earnings, adding, “Oddly enough, it has become this beloved annual event, even without raking in blockbuster earnings.” The team behind the film was poised to take the story forward. “We had a great idea for it,” he confesses, “There was talk of adapting it into a TV series at one point. We had a killer sequel concept, the cast is on board, but it seems the studios are asking, ‘Final Girls who?’”
It’s disheartening for fans and creators alike that the film’s follow-up isn’t on every studio’s wish list. Nemiroff, seizing the opportunity during the interview, expressed her desire to will a sequel into being. Strauss-Schulson, along with writers M.A. Fortin and Joshua John Miller, envisioned a sequel where the lines between film and reality blur further. He expounded, “The initial idea was to bring them to the real world, where the actor who played the killer, Billy Murphy, is a father figure. It would explore the protagonist’s relationship with her father while the real and reel Billy Murphy face off in a tangible setting, leading to some truly wild scenarios.”
More Than Just Scares and Gags
The Final Girls is known not only for its homage to the slasher genre and comedic elements but also for its unexpected depth. The story is anchored by an emotional subplot involving Taissa Farmiga’s character, Max, and her reunion with her late mother within the confines of the movie. The sequel’s focus on Max’s dynamics with her father, coupled with a real-life slasher, promises to maintain the film’s sentimental touch while delivering the adrenaline rush fans of the original would expect.
For the time being, fans must hold on to the hope that the film’s dedicated following can resurrect the possibility of a sequel, or dare we say, an entire series.
AVAILABLE FOR STREAMING: ‘THE FINAL GIRLS’
The Final Girls delivers a masterful twist on horror; it thrusts a group of friends into the eerie world of an ‘80s slasher and demands that they outlast the film. The movie’s clever self-awareness is remarkable, and its emotional resonance elevates it beyond genre conventions. Starring Taissa Farmiga as Max, who is grieving her actress mother portrayed by Malin Akerman, the film follows Max as she is drawn into a Camp Bloodbath movie screening three years after her mother’s tragic death. A sudden fire engulfs the theater, leading Max and her companions to the only escape—through the movie screen, landing them within the film’s deadly narrative.
- Released: October 9, 2015
- Director: Todd Strauss-Schulson
- Ensemble: Taissa Farmiga, Malin Akerman, Nina Dobrev, Adam Devine, Alia Shawkat, Thomas Middleditch, Alexander Ludwig
- Rated: PG-13
- Duration: 92 minutes
- Primary Genre: Horror
- Additional Genres: Comedy
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about The Final Girls sequel
Why hasn’t ‘The Final Girls’ sequel been made?
The sequel to ‘The Final Girls’ has not been produced because the original film did not generate enough revenue to warrant a follow-up, despite its popularity and the creative team’s readiness to continue the story.
What idea did the creators have for ‘The Final Girls’ sequel?
The creators planned to bring the Camp Bloodbath killer into the real world, setting up a confrontation between the actor Billy Murphy and his on-screen slasher persona, adding a layer of meta-reality to the story.
Is the cast of ‘The Final Girls’ interested in making a sequel?
Yes, the original cast is very interested in making a sequel and they all would love to be involved if the opportunity arose.
What genre is ‘The Final Girls’ classified under?
‘The Final Girls’ is primarily classified as a horror movie, but it also incorporates elements of comedy and has a strong emotional core, making it a unique blend of genres.
When was ‘The Final Girls’ released?
‘The Final Girls’ was released on October 9, 2015.
Who stars in ‘The Final Girls’?
The film stars Taissa Farmiga, Malin Akerman, Nina Dobrev, Adam Devine, Alia Shawkat, Thomas Middleditch, and Alexander Ludwig.
What is the main genre of ‘The Final Girls’?
The main genre of ‘The Final Girls’ is horror, with a significant blend of comedy.
More about The Final Girls sequel
- The Final Girls: No Sequel Yet
- Todd Strauss-Schulson on The Final Girls Sequel
- The Final Girls Cult Following
- Interview with Perri Nemiroff
- The Final Girls Meta-Horror Comedy
- Taissa Farmiga’s Role in The Final Girls
