Hollywood’s most deliciously wicked game of hide-and-seek is about to get a seriously A-list upgrade, darlings. The sequel to 2019’s breakout hit “Ready or Not” has finally emerged from development purgatory with a title that’s pure chef’s kiss: “Ready or Not: Here I Come.”
Samara Weaving — whose blood-spattered wedding dress should really be enshrined in the Smithsonian by now — is stepping back into the role of Grace. But this time around, the stakes (pun absolutely intended) are higher, thanks to an ensemble cast that reads like the guest list for Hollywood’s most exclusive dinner party.
Hold onto your champagne flutes, because Sarah Michelle Gellar is joining the mayhem. That’s right — Buffy herself is trading stakes for… well, probably different kinds of stakes. After her scene-stealing turn in last year’s “Wolf Pack,” it’s delightful to see her diving back into the horror genre that made her an icon.
But wait — there’s more deliciousness to this casting feast. Elijah Wood (who’s been absolutely killing it lately with his indie horror choices) is bringing his particular brand of wide-eyed intensity to the mix. And in a twist that’s got cinema purists clutching their pearls, body horror maestro David Cronenberg is stepping in front of the camera. Fresh off his surprisingly charming run on “Star Trek: Discovery,” he’s proving that sometimes the most fascinating monsters lurk in plain sight.
The ensemble continues to grow more intriguing with each announcement. Shawn Hatosy, Néstor Carbonell, and Kevin Durand are joining the fray, along with Kathryn Newton (whose recent turn in “Lisa Frankenstein” proved she knows her way around both comedy and carnage). It’s the kind of cast that makes one wonder if the Le Domas family mansion might need a few extra rooms.
Searchlight Pictures clearly knows they’ve struck gold — or should we say blood diamonds? The original film transformed a modest $6 million budget into a $57 million global triumph, proving that sometimes the best parties are the ones that go horrifically wrong. As Searchlight president Matthew Greenfield so cleverly put it, “This is for those who’ve been waiting, and those who didn’t see it coming.” Honestly, the wordplay alone deserves a standing ovation.
Behind the scenes, Radio Silence (Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett) are back in the director’s chairs, fresh from their triumphant revival of “Scream” and that absolutely wicked vampire romp “Abigail.” They’re bringing their A-team too — production designer Andrew Stearn, cinematographer Brett Jutkiewicz, and costume designer Avery Plewes. Given how the original served up “Clue” meets “The Purge” with a dash of family dysfunction, one can only imagine what twisted games await us this time.
Production kicks off today in Toronto, where the Canadian winter should provide the perfect chilly backdrop for whatever murderous shenanigans are in store. Here’s hoping someone remembered to pack the crossbows — and maybe a few extra wedding dresses, just in case.
Leave a Reply