Long-Awaited Trick 'r Treat 2: Director Drops Exciting Update After 16-Year Gap

Summary

Trick 'r Treat 2, the long-awaited sequel, has been planned for over a decade.

Director Michael Dougherty expressed his enthusiasm for the project and highlighted the collaboration with Legendary. However, he also pointed out that timing, budget, and scheduling still play significant roles. The original film received critical acclaim and developed a devoted fanbase, further heightening the excitement for Trick 'r Treat 2. Consequently, it presents a promising opportunity for Legendary in terms of commercial success.

The director of Trick ‘r Treat 2 recently provided an update on the highly-anticipated sequel, 16 years after the release of the first film. Michael Dougherty, who first gained recognition for directing the 2007 horror film featuring the masked villain Sam, and notable actors Brian Cox, Dylan Baker, and Anna Paquin, has since achieved success with the blockbuster Godzilla: King of the Monsters. While the original movie did not have a theatrical release, it garnered critical acclaim and developed a cult following, propelling Dougherty to greater achievements.

Now, after a long wait, Dougherty has shared a promising update on the Trick ‘r Treat sequel. In an interview with Collider, he confirmed that the project is still in development and mentioned that several script drafts, storyboards, and concept art have already been created. Below are Dougherty's comments on the matter.

Trick ‘r Treat 2 Has Been In Development For Ten Years

"I am happy to report that the sequel to this project is currently being actively developed with Legendary. In fact, we have already produced several drafts of the script. Additionally, I have enlisted the same talented storyboard artist, Simeon Wilkins, who did exceptional work previously. As a result, we now have a substantial collection of storyboards and brilliant concept art by Breehn Burns. Progress is gradually being made, and our partnership with Legendary has been incredibly valuable. However, the timing is crucial, especially considering the recent strike. Our next steps, hopefully, involve analyzing the budget, scheduling, and other essential factors."

In 2009, Dougherty initially discussed the potential for a Trick 'r Treat sequel, but clarified that no active development was underway. However, in 2013, the director disclosed to EW that Legendary was in fact working on a follow-up, expressing his desire for a theatrical release this time. Additionally, Dougherty expressed his intention to release subsequent sequels almost annually, creating an ongoing series of Halloween tales focused on the eerie character, Sam.

When I initially came up with the idea for the first film, I had a thought: "Wouldn't it be cool if we turned it into a series?" I strongly believe that October should be filled with Halloween or horror movies - it's something I remember from my childhood. Horror movies and Halloween go hand-in-hand. So the idea was to release a new Trick 'r Treat movie every year or every other year, with a fresh set of stories and characters, all connected by the character Sam. That was the plan at first, but things changed due to the first film's delayed and unusual journey. I had to put those dreams on hold for a while, so it feels great to finally return to that initial plan.

Unfortunately, progress on the promised sequel has been painfully slow. In 2022, I was able to inform the audience at Beyond Fest that a follow-up to Trick 'r Treat was still in development, with Legendary still on board. Now, a year later, I have more encouraging news to share. However, I must remain cautious in describing the project's current status, as it was hindered by the recently ended WGA strike. Given the cult following that the original film has gained over the years, a follow-up to my anthology-style horror film would surely be welcomed by horror fans. This makes Trick 'r Treat 2 a solid commercial prospect for Legendary.

Source: Collider