Sequel September: An incomplete A-Z of unmade and unfinished Horror Sequels

Big thanks to my blog buddy Fred "The Wolf", the mastermind behind FULL MOON REVIEWS, who invited me to contribute to his
"SEQUEL SEPTEMBER" extravaganza.

Originally, I wanted to do Top 10 lists of my favorite and least favorite sequels, but then for no apparent reason, I thought I'd do something completely different, something I wanted to do for a long time: an overview about unfinished and unmade, unreleased and unrealized horror sequels. Sequels that were announced but never made, sequels that are stuck in development hell, sequels that will probably never happen although horror fans crave for them.

For me, it was a very tough write-up, mainly because my English is still kinda limited, but in the end I think the whole thing turned out to be quite decent.

Enjoy reading! :)

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"28 MONTHS LATER"

A possible sequel to "28 Days Later" (2002) and "28 Weeks Later" (2007), first announced in 2007.
Director Danny Boyle and several people confirmed their interest in this threequel, but nothing ever came to fruition. It's currently in development limbo.

"A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET PART 2 (in 3D)"

If this project was ever alive, it's now obviously deader than dead. After the success of the Michael-Bay-produced 2010 re-crap, there was some talk going on about a possible 3D sequel... um, and that's about it.

"BUBBA NOSFERATU:
CURSE OF THE SHE-VAMPIRES"

In production hell for more than 7 years and still not dead: "Bubba Nosferatu", the sequel/prequel to Don Coscarelli's cult-hit "Bubba Ho-Tep" (2002).

In the credits of "Bubba Ho-Tep", there is a short announcement saying "Elvis will return in 'Bubba Nosferatu: Curse Of The She-Vampires'". This was originally only meant to be a joke, but due to massive fan response, Coscarelli turned the joke into a serious project. Apparently, there's a finished screenplay and there are various actors attached (Paul Giamatti and Ron Perlman - NOT Bruce Campbell). Unfortunately, there's still no news when (or if) this will finally happen.

"CLOVERFIELD 2"

Since 2008, Drew Goddard, Matt Reeves and J.J. Abrams are talking about a possible "Cloverfield" follow-up - a follow-up that may never happen, because none of the afore-mentioned writers / directors aren't exactly enthusiastic about it, and they're all too busy with their own schedules :-/

"DEADGIRL 2"

Aw, this could have been really cool: in 2010 Trent Haaga ("Deadgirl", "Chop", "Citizen Toxie") wrote a highly interesting screenplay for a possible sequel to the controversial indie-flick "Deadgirl" (2010) and in early 2011 reports hit the internet that's it already in pre-production - rumors that were later denied by Haaga himself who confirmed that "Deadgirl 2" is dead. At least, he made the screenplay available for free download.

"THE EVIL DEAD 4"

One last "Evil Dead" sequel = the dream of every horror fan. Doesn't matter if it would be an "Evil Dead 4" or an "Army Of Darkness 2", as long as Bruce Campbell or Sam Raimi would be on board.

No, we don't want a remake and no, "Drag Me To Hell" is NOT an Evil Dead sequel (as some websites claimed).

Earlier in 2012, a film company called Award Pictures announced that they are in the middle of making a fourth film in the franchise, entitled "Evil Dead 4: Consequences", but Raimi successfully sued the shit outta them and all plans for this unauthorised sequel became abandoned.

"FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2 (in 3D)"

The 2009 "Friday" reboot was bad, but successful enough to spawn a follow-up... um, a follow-up that never happened. Back in 2009, the rumour factory worked overtime: there will be a sequel and it will probably be in 3D, it will probably released in August 2010, it will offer a completely new storyline, it may involve a Crystal Lake re-opening, it may involve a snow setting etc. etc.

Then in 2010, producer Brad Fuller announced that the sequel is officially dead, due to various vague reasons, though he still hopes that it will see the light of day in the near future. - Some 2011-rumors about an upcoming found-footage-style sequel were hopefully just bullshit...

"GREMLINS 3"

Since 2007, rumors have circulated about a possible "Gremlins" sequel, entitled "Gremlins 3: The Takeover" -  with CGI Gremlins (yuck) and in 3D (meh), but with no involvment of Joe Dante (ugh).

Gladly, at the moment it doesn't look like this will ever happen (yay!).

"GRIZZLY II: THE PREDATOR"

The holy grail of unfinished / unreleased horror sequels, featuring George Clooney, Charlie Sheen and Laura Dern - and I have seen it!

Read my full post here!

"GHOSTBUSTERS 3"

A threequel that will hopefully never happen, although it's in development hell for about 2 years and still far from being dead!

In the 1990s Dan Aykroyd wrote a script for a potential third film, called "Ghostbusters 3: Hellbent!". According to this IGN-article, the script sucks and we can be happy that it never got realized.

In 2010 Ivan Reitman confirmed that he would be directing a third part, based on a script by Lee Eisenberg & Gene Stupnitsky ("Bad Teacher") which was approved by Sony in October 2010.

In August 2011, Aykroyd claimed that "Ghostbusters 3" was moving forward and planning to shoot in early 2012 - however, in December 2012 it was reported that Bill Murray shredded the script and sent it back to Aykroyd, saying that "no-one wants to pay money to see fat, old men chasing ghosts". In July 2012 it was confirmed that Etan Cohen ("Men In Black 3") would be writing a new script...

"HALLOWEEN 3D"

Due to the massive success of Rob Zombie's two "Halloween" reboots (2007 & 2009), Dimension Films and the Weinsteins hired Patrick Lussier and Todd Farmer, the team behind the 3D reboot of "My Bloody Valentine" (2009), to write and direct a 3D sequel. Possible release date: October 2010.

Unfortunately, due to various reasons (rushed production, Weinsteins ran out of money, "Drive Angry"...), production was delayed, and the project remains stuck in development.

"HARDWARE II: GROUND ZERO"

A sequel to the 1990 cult classic "Hardware" which was anounced by director Richard Stanley himself in 1996. He wrote a script and was ready to go, but due to many reasons (rights, financial stuff), the movie never got into production.

In 2009 Stanley made the latest draft of his screenplay available for free download, saying that he's still trying to get this movie done one day.

"HOUSE OF RE-ANIMATOR"

For many years, director Stuart Gordon expressed his interest in a 4th "Re-Animator" movie, a political satire about Herbert West moving into the White House, re-animating the deceased Vice President, played by the great George Wendt - imagine that!

Unfortunately, in 2010 Gordon confirmed that he couldn't find anyone to fund it, and that he now has lost interest in the project :-(

"JACK BROOKS: MONSTER SLAYER 2"

In 2008 director Jon Knautz confirmed that a Jack Brooks sequel is in the scripting stage (yay!). Sadly, in 2009 he said that "it's not going to be happening anytime in the near future" (bleh).

"JEEPERS CREEPERS 3: CATHEDRAL"

The threequel to Victor Salva's cult flicks "Jeepers Creepers" (2001) and "Jeepers Creepers 2" (2003) was first announced in 2008 and officially confirmed in 2009. It was plannned to be released in 2011, but... um, it ultimately wasn't. In 2012 it was announced to be finally released in 2013/2014, but hasn't been officially confirmed.

When "Jeepers Creepers 3" was announced, rumors surfaced there would be a 4th part, shot back-to-back with Part 3 and released in 2016. Um, yeah...

"LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT PART II"

Mid-80s, video distribution company Vestron was strongly interested in funding a sequel to Wes Craven's awesome 70s classic. They created an "Now in Pre-Production" ad, they cut together a teaser trailer, and they hired "Friday The 13th Part V" director Danny Steinmann to write and direct this follow-up.

Unfortunately, Vestron didn't get permission of the original writer to shoot a sequel and the whole project got buried.

"PHANTASM V"

Will this ever be made? I strongly hope so though it becomes more and more unlikely. Since 1999 plans were made, scripts were written (including one from Roger "Killing Zoe" Avary), possible titles were announced ("Phantasm's End" / "Phantasm 1999"), various rumors circulated - but nothing ever came to fruition. Sucks hard.

"POLTERGEIST IV: IN THE SHADOWS"

Between 2005 and 2008 loads of rumors hit the internet about a new "Poltergeist" sequel, based on a script by Michael Grais, screenwriter of the first 2 parts. The rumors stopped after MGM announced a possible "Poltergeist" remake in 2008.

"SOCIETY 2: BODY MODIFICATION"

When Brian Yuzna's debut film "Society" (1989) came out, it wasn't a hit, but over the years it became a cult classic. In 2004/2005 it was announced that a sequel called "Society 2: Body Modification" (cool title!), was in development with a script from Stephen Miro (owner of Unearthed Films) - and that's about all we ever got to know about this 'project'.

"SLEEPAWAY CAMP IV: THE SURVIVOR"

The 4th entry in the popular "Sleepaway Camp" franchise began filming in October 1992. During this time, the film's production company Double Helix went bankrupt, which caused the production to shut down. Only about 34 minutes of footage were filmed.

In 2002, the footage was released as a bonus disc for a limited "Sleepaway Camp" box set. In 2012, this footage was edited together into a 70minute quasi-final-cut and independently released on DVD - though, according to the Cinema Snob review it's better to ignore its existence.

"SLEEPAWAY CAMP REUNION 3D"

After Part 1 and "Return To Sleepaway Camp", Robert Hiltzik's third entry in the franchise. Little is known about it. It was set for a 2D/3D release back in October 2011, but for unknown reasons the release fell through. It is rumored that the movie is still in production / post-production.

"SLEEPAWAY CAMP BERSERK"

Michael A. Simpson, director of Part 2 & 3, and author Fred Willard wrote a script for a new "Sleepaway Camp" film which is supposed to be some kinda supernatural slasher. This was announced in 2007, and since then nothing much happened

"TIMESWEEP 2: THE QUESDROV FACTOR"

"Timesweep" (1987) is a terribly lame lowest-budget straight-to-video flick, completely obscure and forgotten, made by three totally untalented writers and directors who were confident enough to announce a sequel in the credits - which eventually was never made.

The title sounds interesting, but I guess it would have been an equally lousy film due to the non-existent talent of cast and crew.

"TROLL 2: PART 2"

Yes, due to the massive late "success" of "Troll 2", director Claudio Fragasso and his wife Rossella Drudi announced to shoot a (hopefully) equally shoddy sequel, possibly entitled "Troll 2: Part 2", which was the winning title of an audience poll at a "Troll 2"-convention in 2007.

Since then, Fragasso directed and co-directed a few movies which all were "Troll 2"-unrelated, and there's still no news if this will ever happen or if this was just meant to be a silly joke...

"ZOMBIELAND 2"

The long-time rumored follow-up to the 2009 box-office hit. In 2010 it really looked like this would eventually happen: Director Ruben Fleischer and the cast were enthusiastic about a possible 3D sequel. Screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick were raving about turning "Zombieland" into a franchise, maybe even into a TV series.

However, in 2011Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg took a step back from the project, and Fleischer suggested it's unlikely that it'll ever happen. "Zombieland 2" is currently in development hell.

Thanks for reading. If you know of other unmade horror sequels, drop me a comment. I might do a sequel to this post! :)

Sources:
Gremlins http://gremlins.wikia.com/wiki/Gremlins_3
Halloween http://halloweenmovie.wikia.com/wiki/Halloween_III_%283D%29
Hardware  http://totalscifionline.com/interviews/3648-richard-stanley-rise-of-the-machines
Jeepers http://jeeperscreepers.wikia.com/wiki/Jeepers_Creepers_3:_Cathedral
LHOTL  http://www.freddyinspace.com/2011/11/planned-movies-that-never-saw-light-of.html
Poltergeist http://www.poltergeistiii.com/poltergeistIV.html
Re-Animator http://twitchfilm.com/interviews/2010/07/fantasia-2010-a-conversation-with-stuart-gordon-and-jeffrey-combs.php
Sleepaway http://sleepawaycampfilms.com/
Zombieland http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Zombieland-2-Isn-t-Dead-But-Jesse-Eisenberg-Isn-t-Sure-It-s-Still-Relevant-25533.html & http://www.assignmentx.com/2011/exclusive-interview-ruben-fleischer-on-30-minutes-or-less-zombieland-2-and-the-gangster-squad/

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