You’re Next writer Simon Barrett has confirmed there were never plans for a sequel to the horror film. The 2011 home invasion film depicts a family under attack from a group of masked assailants. The slasher has gained a cult following since its release, with fans praising the feminist depiction of Erin (played by Australian actress Sharni Vinson) who grew up in a survivalist compound and turns the tables on her attackers. The film was directed by Adam Wingard, a frequent collaborator of Barrett’s.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Simon Barrett has confirmed that there were never plans for a You’re Next sequel. Barrett explains that there was some talk of "making a sequel if the [original] film was successful", but the screenwriter "never actually wrote anything down". After the movie flopped commercially, Barrett was "glad" he had not done any actual work on a follow-up. Read Barrett’s full quote:
"The full answer is, after You’re Next sold but before it was released in theaters — which was a two-year process due to some corporate changes at Lionsgate at that time — we talked a bit about making a sequel if the film was successful. I think we had some cool ideas, but like with The Guest, You’re Next was never originally intended to have a sequel. We were excited to make one if there was any interest, but I never actually wrote anything down. Adam and I just bounced some ideas around, and then when the movie flopped, I was glad I hadn’t done any actual work."
However, fans who hope to see more of Erin may be in luck. "I hope Erin’s doing great," said Barrett. The director confirmed he and Wingard are hoping to work with Vinson again “soon” on a project. "Maybe we’ll call her character Erin in that film and people can try to figure out what her intervening decade must have been," he joked. While not the true sequel some may have hoped for, another collaboration between Barrett, Wingard, and Vinson could prove even more satisfying. As Barrett mentions, You're Next wasn't created with a sequel in mind, so forcing one could hurt the original. Instead, whatever their next project together turns out to be, it could serve as a spiritual sequel, allowing Barrett and Wingard to create another hero for Vinson who subverts even more horror tropes.
Although Wingard and Barrett won’t be collaborating on a You’re Next sequel, the two went on to further success after the film. The pair collaborated on thriller The Guest, which likewise faced commercial disappointment at the box office but developed a cult following. Wingard has found major blockbuster success helming Godzilla vs. Kong, the fourth film in Legendary’s MonsterVerse. Barrett has continued to work in the horror genre, writing and directed the supernatural film Seance. The film stars Suki Waterhouse and is available in select theaters and on demand from May 21 2021.
Source: THR