The third film in the cult “Orphan” horror franchise has been officially green-lit, with Isabelle Fuhrman — recently seen in Kevin Costner’s “Horizon” — returning to play her iconic role of Esther.
“Orphan: First Kill’s” writer David Coggeshall (“The Family Plan”) and director William Brent Bell (“The Boy” franchise) are also back behind the camera.
The threequel — of which plot details are currently being kept under wraps — was announced by production banner Dark Castle Entertainment, with Lionsgate set to launch the project at the American Film Market this week.
“Dark Castle is excited to announce another terrifying chapter in the ‘Orphan’ saga,” said Norman Golightly, Co-CEO of Dark Castle Entertainment. “With the past success of the first two movies and another thrilling storyline, we are confident that ‘Orphan 3’ will be a must-see movie for both current fans of the franchise, and new fans alike.”
Dark Castle is producing “Orphan 3” with Alex Mace of Gnosis Films. David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick will also serve as an executive producer. Lionsgate is handling international sales.
The “Orphan” franchise has grossed $125 million worldwide to date. The first entry, which became a cult hit after its release in 2009, followed a husband and wife who in the wake of losing their baby, adopt a nine-year-old- girl who is not nearly as innocent as she claims to be.
The movie, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, starred Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard, and a young Fuhrman and opened to $12.8 million domestic, finaled at $41.5 million, and neared $78 million worldwide.
The second installment, the prequel “Orphan: First Kill,” followed Fuhrman’s Leena as she escapes an Estonian psychiatric facility by pretending to be the missing daughter of a wealthy family. Her new life comes with unexpected problems when a mother protects her family at any cost.
The pic was released in 2022 day-and-date theatrically and on Paramount+ and went on to gross over $45 million worldwide.
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