Why the ‘You’re Next’ Sequel Was a Terrible Idea That Never Happened!

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Prior to taking on Legendary’s Monsterverse for movies like “Godzilla vs. Kong” and “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” Adam Wingard had previously directed one of the most acclaimed slasher films from the 2010s – “You’re Next.” Written by Simon Barrett, this film revolves around a troubled family who face an unexpected threat when masked intruders invade their home during a family gathering. The storyline is typical, but Wingard and Barrett executed it with skill, infusing the narrative with dark humor and grisly deaths. Interestingly, they are now discussing the sequel they had planned, which they’re thankful never came to fruition.

The conversation between the two takes place as part of a fresh commentary track on the movie “You’re Next,” which was released yesterday in SteelBook 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray format exclusively by Lionsgate Limited (via Bloody Disgusting). In this film, the killers wore masks resembling a lamb, a fox, and a tiger. Initially, the character wearing the Lamb Mask was supposed to be decapitated in the script with his hand still attached to his head. This, however, wasn’t always the plan as stated by Barrett.

However, we realized this was a golden chance since they all agreed that the movie would be a blockbuster. So, for the sequel of “You’re Next,” we thought it would be fitting to reintroduce [L.C. Holt] as the Lamb Mask killer. But due to his frontal cortex being damaged from a forehead stab wound, he won’t experience pain anymore. This has made him more unhinged and he seeks revenge for his brother.

As a passionate cinephile, I can’t forget the chilling moments from “You’re Next” when it was unveiled that Lamb Mask and Tiger Mask were siblings. The plot took a dark turn when Lamb, grieving over his brother’s death, went off the deep end. The movie concluded tragically with Erin (Sharni Vinson) being fatally shot by a police officer following her lethal attack on A.J. Bowen’s character, Crispian. If you’ve ever wondered what would have happened next in “You’re Next 2”, director Adam Wingard himself admitted that he’s content the sequel never materialized.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m grateful we chose a different path with our sequel concept. Initially, we had considered a scenario where Erin would be falsely accused and imprisoned for the murders. Given her unique Australian accent, she might have faced an unfair trial, being quickly convicted by a biased jury in the American justice system.

While behind bars, a prison van transporting her would be ambushed, leading to chaos. In the midst of this turmoil, Erin and her fellow prisoners would stumble upon a nearby methamphetamine laboratory. Our original plan was to leverage the unpredictable traps found within this lab as a central plot point.

In essence, I’m relieved we opted against creating this movie. It could potentially diminish the enjoyment of the story for viewers.

‘You’re Next’ Is a Horror Classic

The horror movie “You’re Next” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2011. It featured actors like Ti West, Barbara Crampton, and Larry Fessenden. Despite being made on a budget of only $1 million, it didn’t hit many theaters until 2013. However, when it did, it earned over $26 million at the box office. Nowadays, it is often considered a slasher film classic, and has an impressive 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Directors Adam Wingard and Simon Barrett have both achieved notable success in Hollywood. Wingard is recognized for directing the Monsterverse films, while Barrett wrote the terrifying box office hit Azrael last year. He also contributed to the script of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, and although he’s content that You’re Next 2 didn’t get made, Wingard hasn’t entirely ruled out revisiting the concept if he ever finds himself in a tough spot. He playfully remarked, “You never know, our careers could take a downturn, and one of these days we might say, ‘We’re ready for You’re Next 2.’ It would likely be a different movie than the one you just mentioned.”

Although another installment seems unlikely for now, it’s perfectly fine. The original movie stands well enough on its own merits, and if you’re interested, you can stream You’re Next right now on Peacock. Alternatively, you can rent or buy it directly from Lionsgate on various video-on-demand platforms.

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2025-02-26 20:31