According to The Hollywood Reporter, Osgood Perkins is developing a new feature set in the world of “Longlegs,” extending the mythology of the 2024 mystery horror hit that unexpectedly became the highest-grossing independent film of its year. The project reunites Perkins with Nicolas Cage, who is set to return not only as star but also as producer.
The new installment signals a shift in studio stewardship for the property, with Paramount Pictures now backing the project after the original entry was distributed by Neon. Perkins is once again writing, directing, and producing, continuing his hands-on role in shaping the evolving franchise framework.
A New Chapter in the ‘Longlegs’ Universe
The follow-up project expands the narrative universe introduced in “Longlegs,” the 2024 thriller that followed an FBI investigation into a series of ritualistic family murders tied to an elusive serial killer. Blending procedural elements with occult horror, the film became a breakout success for Perkins and cemented Cage’s performance as one of its defining creative anchors.
Unlike a direct sequel, the new movie is described as a story set within the same universe rather than a continuation of the original plot. That distinction suggests a broader approach to world-building, allowing new characters and cases to emerge while retaining connective thematic threads.
The original picture’s performance helped elevate Perkins’ profile in genre filmmaking, with its strong box office return of $128 million against a modest $10 million budget positioning it as a rare mid-budget horror success in recent years.
Industry reporting indicates that the move from Neon to Paramount reflects both creative ambition and scale, with the new project requiring a larger production framework than the original distributor typically handles.
With Perkins steering the project and Cage returning in a producing and starring capacity, the “Longlegs” universe appears poised to evolve beyond a single breakout title into a more expansive horror property under Paramount’s growing genre slate.
