Paramount Pictures has acquired rights to a new feature film set in the 'Longlegs' universe, with Nicolas Cage starring and producing alongside director Osgood Perkins. Perkins, who wrote and directed the original 2024 horror hit, will return to write, direct, and produce the untitled project. Details remain under wraps, but it expands the successful franchise.
Paramount Pictures picked up the rights to the new film after the original 'Longlegs' became a box office success for Neon, grossing $128 million worldwide from a reported $10 million budget. The R-rated thriller, released in July 2024, marked Neon's best opening at $22.6 million and the top original horror debut of the year to date. It starred Nicolas Cage as a Satan-worshipping serial killer pursued by an FBI agent played by Maika Monroe, with supporting roles by Alicia Witt, Kiernan Shipka, and Blair Underwood. The Hollywood Reporter first shared news of the developing project, as Deadline has learned, revealed on April 14. The follow-up will be penned, directed, and produced by Osgood Perkins, with Cage also producing. Additional producers include Brian Kavanaugh Jones of Range Media Partners, Perkins and Chris Ferguson through their Phobos banner, and Dave Caplan under his C2 banner, which originated the rights. Perkins recently wrapped production on 'The Young People' for Neon, starring Nicole Kidman, Lola Tung, and Nico Parker. He and Phobos have a first-look deal with the distributor. Cage's twisted performance in the original further showcased his range in horror roles.
