New Insights on The Black Phone 2 Unveiled at CinemaCon
Universal Pictures provided exciting updates about The Black Phone 2 during its presentation at this year’s CinemaCon in Las Vegas. Although director Scott Derrickson was unable to attend due to the ongoing production, Jason Blum, CEO of Blumhouse, took center stage wearing a Grabber mask, accompanied by franchise star Madeleine McGraw. Together, they offered a glimpse into the sequel and unveiled a brand new trailer to the enthusiastic crowd at the Colosseum.
The Success of the Original Film
The first installment of The Black Phone was an unexpected success after its release in 2022, raking in an impressive $161 million on a modest budget of just $18 million. The chilling narrative follows a young boy who is abducted and confined in a basement, where he begins receiving calls on a disconnected phone from the past victims of the serial killer known as the Grabber, portrayed by Ethan Hawke. The film’s screenplay was developed by Derrickson and his long-time collaborator C. Robert Cargill, based on a gripping short story penned by Joe Hill.
Returning Cast and New Characters
In The Black Phone 2, Ethan Hawke is set to reprise his role, joined by returning cast members Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw. They will be joined by new additions to the ensemble, including Arianna Rivas, Jeremy Davies, Demián Bichir, and Miguel Mora.
Insights from Madeleine McGraw
During the event, Blum inquired about McGraw’s experience returning for the sequel. She expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “It was truly just the best.” Derrickson had previously mentioned his hesitance towards sequels, noting the difficulty of recapturing the original magic. However, he later realized that the sequel could explore “new and unexpected” territories with the characters, especially considering that Hawke’s character met his demise in the first film.
Tantalizing Glimpse at the New Trailer
The trailer showcased suspenseful scenes, including a black phone ringing ominously inside an isolated telephone booth against a snowy backdrop. In a tense exchange, Thames’s character confronts the Grabber, who eerily asks, “Did you think our story was over?” The boy’s retort, “You’re dead,” is met with the unsettling response, “You of all people should know that dead is just a word.”
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Derrickson’s Vision for the Sequel
In a previous interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Derrickson revealed he hadn’t initially planned on creating a sequel until Hill presented an enticing idea he couldn’t ignore. However, he took a detour to work on The Gorge, a film featuring Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy. He reflected, “I realized that if I made a big movie like The Gorge first, the [Black Phone] kids would be in high school by the time I finished.” This strategic decision allowed him to leverage the unique window of time with Thames and McGraw to tell a coming-of-age story comparable to the original film, which focused on middle school themes.
A New Direction in Horror Sequels
Derrickson emphasized that The Black Phone 2 is not merely a rehash of its predecessor. He stated, “This one has a much more complicated world and idea, and it was thrilling to not repeat the first movie. The worst kind of horror sequel is the one where you try to do the same thing again, but just more of it. The best sequels are the ones that surprise you.”
Fans awaiting the next chapter of this harrowing tale will not have to wait long, as Universal plans to release the film on October 17.
CinemaCon: A Showcase of Industry Trends
CinemaCon represents an annual gathering for cinema owners and Hollywood studios, hosted in Las Vegas by the recently rebranded Cinema United (formerly known as the National Association of Theatre Owners). This year’s event takes place from March 31 to April 3.