Rebel Ridge Director Talks About His Next Film (No, It’s Not a Sequel)

Rebel Ridge Director Talks About His Next Film (No, It's Not a Sequel)

As a devoted fan of Jeremy Saulnier’s gripping storytelling, I find it both thrilling and reassuring to learn about his upcoming project. The director’s decision to return to the gritty, unapologetic style that defined earlier works like Green Room and Murder Party is music to my ears (pun intended). It seems he’s ready to bring a fresh take on the “fun” side of his unique narrative universe, which I eagerly anticipate.


Jeremy Saulnier, the director behind Netflix’s successful action thriller “Rebel Ridge“, has revealed that he is currently developing his next movie. However, fans of “Rebel Ridge” may be disappointed to learn that this new project isn’t a sequel or even related to the same genre. Instead, it seems that Saulnier is returning to the grittier style of filmmaking that characterized his earlier works.

On The Playlist podcast, the director made an appearance, delving deeper into the script he’s currently working on. Saulnier is opting for a return to the vibe of past ventures like Green Room and Murder Party, infusing a more playful element into his distinct narrative style, as per his own words.

At the moment, I’m working on a piece that fits within the realm of the “Green Room” universe. With “Rebel Ridge,” I ventured into unexplored territory, seeking a break from the usual oppressive themes. However, it seems I’ve returned to my roots. It revolves around music, Halloween, and all things fun.

Jeremy Saulnier’s movie “Rebel Ridge” emerged after years of hard work and challenges. Given the challenging nature of this project from its inception, it’s not surprising that the director might feel hesitant to revisit such experiences. The writer-director got involved with the project in 2018, with John Boyega set to play the main character, Terry Richmond. However, when Boyega decided to leave the project just before filming commenced, the future of “Rebel Ridge” became unclear. As Saulnier shared, this was his account of the situation.

A year after the pandemic, we were hopeful to resume the project, but unfortunately, it didn’t materialize. There’s no anger or resentment. It simply wasn’t destined to happen. In light of everyone’s best interests, it was the appropriate and necessary choice for the film. In the same year, I managed to recruit Aaron Pierre.

Jeremy Saulnier is One of Today’s Most Interesting Filmmakers

Rebel Ridge Director Talks About His Next Film (No, It's Not a Sequel)Rebel Ridge Director Talks About His Next Film (No, It's Not a Sequel)Rebel Ridge Director Talks About His Next Film (No, It's Not a Sequel)Rebel Ridge Director Talks About His Next Film (No, It's Not a Sequel)

Few contemporary filmmakers possess a distinct cinematic style, and Saulnier is undeniably one of them. His movies are brimming with well-developed characters and maintain a consistent mood throughout. Typically, he delves into the underlying darkness within these on-screen personas (he also helmed a few episodes for Season 3 of True Detective), revealing aspects that other directors often overlook. Meticulously crafted, his scripts ensure that each character’s journey is coherent, even as they navigate complex moral landscapes. In a nutshell, Saulnier’s relatively brief career underscores his ability to tell compelling stories in an original manner.

TitleYear of Release
Murder Party2007
Blue Ruin2013
Green Room2015
Hold the Dark2018
Rebel Ridge2024

Rebel Ridge
is currently streaming on Netflix.

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2024-09-24 18:01