Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Sequel Update Shared by Director

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark director André Øvredal assures fans that the sequel is still alive.

In an exciting update for horror fans, director André Øvredal of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark has assured fans that the sequel is still in the works.

During an interview with IGN, Øvredal confirmed that the much-anticipated sequel, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark 2, is still happening. The film, following the success of Øvredal's 2019 horror flick, has been a topic of speculation since its announcement in April 2020. Though production delays have plagued the project, Øvredal remains hopeful that the project would soon slide into production.

While promoting his upcoming Dracula adaptation The Last Voyage of the Demeter, Øvredal discussed the current status of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark 2. He cited COVID-19 disruptions and his involvement in The Last Voyage of the Demeter for the delays but assures that the team has successfully developed a story and a script. However, the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes have temporarily halted writing duties in Hollywood, including the work on the sequel's script. While the strike has undoubtedly impacted the film's timeline, fans can take solace in knowing that the story is locked in, and Øvredal possesses a clear vision for the project, it is hoped that Øvredal can soon shift his focus to the eagerly awaited young adult horror sequel once the strike reaches a resolution.

"We have a story. We have a script. We've been working on the script as late as last year and even slightly into this year. The process obviously stopped with the strike — but it's alive, for sure. COVID and then [The Last Voyage of the Demeter] eating up two years of my life certainly put a dent in the progress", Øvredal said.

More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Will Be Told

Released in 2019, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is the film adaptation of the short horror stories from writer Alvin Schwartz and illustrator Stephen Gammell. The film takes place in 1968, in the quaint town of Mill Valley, Pennsylvania, and revolves around three close friends who stumble upon a collection of frightening tales in the notorious local haunted house. As they delve into the town's past and the dark secrets of the house, the monstrous beings from those stories awaken, unleashing havoc upon the unsuspecting townsfolk. The film received positive reviews from critics and was a box office success grossing $105.82 million worldwide on a $25 million budget.

The journey to bring the sequel to life has been far from straightforward, with initial assurances of a script in development by late 2020, followed by false claims of filming starting in late 2022. While there are currently no official confirmations regarding the cast, it is reasonable to assume that Zoe Colletti will return as Stella Nicholls.

André Øvredal's The Last Voyage of the Demeter will release in theaters on Aug. 11.