‘Thanksgiving 2’ Horror Sequel Gets a Wel-Timed Update from Director Eli Roth

by

As a lifelong horror enthusiast who’s witnessed my fair share of slashers and scream queens, I can confidently say that Eli Roth’s announcement about the sequel to his 2023 hit, “Thanksgiving,” has me more excited than a Black Friday shopper on turkey day. The man behind the mayhem is doubling down on the gore, keeping it lean and mean, and promising kills that will make my heart race faster than a panicked holiday shopper sprinting for the last discounted flatscreen TV.

Eli Roth, the director known for horror movies such as Hostel, Cabin Fever, and last year’s hit slasher film Thanksgiving, has provided an apt update regarding the follow-up of this holiday-themed horror that sent shivers down the spines of slasher and Black Friday enthusiasts last year. The sequel to Thanksgiving was swiftly given the go-ahead in November 2023, and Roth is now gearing up to commence filming next March. He additionally confirms that it won’t be a prequel, some characters will make a return, and he plans to keep production costs at a minimum to effectively bring back the character “John Carver” for another round of terror.

Instead of increasing budget, we’re aiming for greater impact without additional financial resources. This keeps our approach streamlined and focused, pushing us to make strategic decisions. Since much of the groundwork was laid in the initial project, we can now focus solely on the results, making this phase more about payoff than setup.

I’ve devised some concepts that are going to be quite demanding to execute. I want them to be demanding because if I believe these ideas will result in the most impactful scenes, then I’ll bring them to life as if this is my final filmmaking endeavor.

‘Thanksgiving’ Successfully Resurrects Slasher Tropes

As a cinephile, I’d put it this way: “Every Thanksgiving kicks off with a chilling twist for me – the grandest store in town turns into a battleground during their Black Friday sale on the eve of the holiday. The frenzy outside leads to chaos within, and sadly, lives are lost amidst the stampede for cheaper appliances. A year later, a masked avenger exploits the peacefulness of Thanksgiving as an opportunity for vengeance, orchestrating a series of ingeniously gruesome murders.

In simpler terms, “If I’m going back to horror films, it needs to be something that rekindles my passion for it; something I can’t wait to dive into again…I could potentially dedicate all my time to horror movies based on holidays. I would be more than happy to produce them for an entire year. If someone said, ‘From now on, you can only make holiday-themed horror films,’ I would enthusiastically accept and fill up the calendar with projects.

It’s quite ironic, really. We’re promoting a film that itself criticizes commercialization, yet we’re fully conscious of this paradox. It’s like everyone is laughing along with us at the absurdity of it all.

Of course, a sequel is in store for Roth, no doubt bringing more captivating killings, a holiday backdrop, a “surviving woman,” and an unyielding slayer. Another hit film will undoubtedly demonstrate the effectiveness of micro-budget horror, a genre that Roth excels at, and which studios appreciate. Here’s to hoping they don’t release Thanksgiving 2 straight to streaming services. In line with Roth’s comments on his approach to the classic horror subgenre, let’s look forward to seeing what he has in store for us next.

To grab people’s attention effectively, our opening had to be powerful and unexpectedly intense. It needed to convey, ‘This isn’t a joke or a mere imitation; this is the real deal.’ We aim to make it enjoyable, but we’re absolutely serious about it. The existence of this Thanksgiving movie brings me immense joy, knowing that people appreciate it and are rediscovering the classic slasher films due to it.

It seems to me that we’ve established a fresh custom here. What I sense is a strong desire in you to influence pop culture, either positively or negatively. However, time will pass and memories will fade. All that will remain are the films.

Read More

2024-12-02 17:32