Universal’s 2013 horror filmMamawas a sizable hit for the studio, no doubt buoyed by the involvement of starJessica Chastainand executive producerGuillermo del Toro, and so it made sense when the studio began developing a follow-up. DirectorAndres Muschiettihad made his theatrical debut on the project, based on a short film that he wrote and directed, but his involvement with the follow-up became tenuous when he was courted for bigger fare. Now, as Universal finally revs up development onMama 2, they’ve set a pair of promising filmmakers to take the reins of the franchise.
PerTHR, directorsDennis WidmyerandKevin Kolschare in final negotiations to rewrite and direct the horror sequel, which is being produced byScott BernsteinandRussell Ackerman. Widmyer and Kolsh first made a splash with their 2014 horror indieStarry Eyes, which was a hit on the festival circuit and put Widmyer and Kolsh on the map as names to know. Now it appears they’ll get the chance to make the jump to the studio system while remaining in their genre wheelhouse.
Mamarevolved around a pair of kids who had been raised in the woods by a terrifying andveryclingy ghost woman, but it’s unclear where the sequel will take the story. However,The Wrapreports that Chastain is unlikely to reprise her role as the kids’ savior, so either the children find themselves in danger without a guardian, orMama 2will focus on an entirely new family altogether.
I thoughtMamawas a promising if somewhat sleight entry in the horror genre, but there’s no denying the central premise and creature effects were pretty spectacular. The nuts and bolts of the film are solid, so hopefully Widmyer and Kolsh can find an exciting way to further build on that foundation.
As for Muschietti, after fielding a number of offers followingMama, he became attached to and eventually fell off Universal’sThe Huntsman. He is currently working on theItremakethatCary Fukunagadeparted, andrecently signed on to helmtheHarry HoudiniadaptationThe Witch of Lime Street. In other words, he’s doing just fine.
