There’s more “Ma” on the way. Blumhouse is developing a sequel to its 2019 revenge thriller, with Octavia Spencer reprising her role as the eponymous killer. The project remains in early stages, with no director attached or release date set.
“‘Ma’ has proven to be a social phenomenon since its release in 2019, with fans eagerly embracing the film and Octavia’s iconic performance as Ma,” Jason Blum, founder and CEO of Blumhouse Productions, said in a statement announcing the sequel. “Ma likes to say ‘don’t make me drink alone,’ so we’re thrilled Octavia will join us again for a second round.”
The original film followed a group of high schoolers who find an unlikely, intergenerational friend in Sue Ann Ellington, a lonesome veterinarian and devoted party animal played by Spencer. The woman, affectionately called “Ma,” allows the teens to party in her basement, but things get bloody once their relationship starts to sour.
The first “Ma” re-teamed Spencer with director Tate Taylor, who helmed the actress’ Oscar-winning performance in “The Help.” Released by Universal in May 2019, the low-budget Blumhouse production was a box office winner, earning $61 million worldwide.
But the film has grown an even stronger following in the years since, spawning various memes including parody posters and reaction images. Spencer even joined in on the fun in 2020, holding an online contest for the “best Ma meme” and awarding numerous prizes. In 2024, she referenced the film in a short video posted by the Kamala Harris presidential campaign.
In May, “Ma” featured as one of the re-release selections for Blumhouse’s Halfway to Halloween campaign. The film, along with “M3GAN” and “Annabelle,” received a one-night-only engagement in theaters nationwide.
The “Ma” sequel was unveiled by Blumhouse at Atomic Monster and its first-ever Business of Horror event in Hollywood.
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From Variety US