A sequel to Backrooms is in the works, according to Deadline. After the massive box office weekend for Backrooms, Kane Parsons is already developing a sequel, but there’s no word on casting nor is the film officially greenlight for production. What we do know is that Parsons is looking for a writing partner to help develop the sequel. This suggests that writer Will Soodik will not return for the film. Soodik was the only credited writer on the film, but he did take over from Roberto Patino, who wrote the initial drafts of the horror film.
Although Backrooms has received no shortage of praise, the one area it has been frequently dinged is in the actual traditional narrative. Some feel that the story is a little too heavy-handed, on-the-nose, or just outright uninteresting, and the movie mostly thrives in sequences that don’t have any dialogue or are focused on exploring the more horrific sides of the film. It’s possible Parsons feels that way too and that’s why he’s seeking a new writer, but Soodik also may be busy with other projects or uninterested in exploring this world any further.
As for where the story could go from here, Parsons has a lot of freedom. Backrooms doesn’t explicitly lay the groundwork for a sequel, but there is one character (played by Mark Duplass) introduced at the end of the film who could be a strong candidate for leading the next movie. It’s a film that leaves you with more questions than answers, though not in a way that baits you into a sequel. Parsons doesn’t seem to be interested in actually providing direct answers, as the mystery of Backrooms is its biggest strength and draw.
Either way, after raking in over $100 million at the box office in its opening weekend, it’s clear that A24 will likely want more Backrooms as soon as possible. Parsons has also expressed hope in directing an adaptation of Valve’s puzzle game, Portal, at some point. Perhaps if he continues to find success in Backrooms, Valve will trust him enough to let him make his dream film.
Parsons’ success has also drawn some conspiracy theories. Given the director is just 20-years-old with no experience in making live-action feature films, some suggested that Backrooms was “ghost directed” by one of the film’s prominent producers: James Wan, Shawn Levy, and/or Osgood Perkins. However, Mark Duplass defended Parsons and noted that he didn’t need that kind of help as he came extremely prepared.
Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN’s news team. He covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.
