The Asylum is developing 'Sharknado Origins,' the seventh installment in the cult B-movie series, set for a summer 2026 release. Directed by Anthony Ferrante, the prequel will explore the teenage years of protagonists Fin and April before the events of the 2013 original. Production is slated to begin later this year.
Announcement Details
Variety exclusively revealed that the 'Sharknado' franchise, which concluded in 2018 after six films, is making a comeback with 'Sharknado Origins.' The Asylum, known for low-budget thrillers and mockbusters, is behind the project. The film will serve as a prequel, depicting how the first shark-filled tornado came to be. It follows teenage Fin and April crossing paths during a beach summer romance, interrupted by a massive funnel cloud unleashing sharks from the ocean.
Production and Creative Team
Anthony Ferrante, who directed all previous entries, is returning to helm the film. Production begins later in 2025, with casting announcements forthcoming. The original 'Sharknado' debuted on Syfy on July 11, 2013, made for $1 million, and sparked a cultural phenomenon with its absurd premise of sharks raining from tornadoes over Los Angeles. The series amassed celebrity cameos from the likes of Olivia Newton-John, David Hasselhoff, and George R.R. Martin. 'Sharknado 2: The Second One' drew the highest viewership at 3.9 million.
Franchise Background
The series includes 'Sharknado' (2013), 'Sharknado 2: The Second One' (2014), 'Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!' (2015), 'Sharknado: The 4th Awakens' (2016), 'Sharknado 5: Global Swarming' (2017), and 'The Last Sharknado: It's About Time' (2018), plus three spinoffs. The Asylum's style has inspired a documentary, 'Mockbuster,' which won an audience award at the Adelaide Film Festival and is set for U.S. release in 2026.