Potential Return of Hereditary
The film Hereditary from A24 might be making a comeback. Upon its release, Hereditary not only grossed over $90 million globally but also became A24’s top-earning movie at the time, surpassing Lady Bird. It garnered widespread critical praise, reflected in its 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film was particularly lauded for its compelling narrative and exceptional performances by Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, Ann Dowd, and Milly Shapiro.
Behind the Scenes Insights
Ari Aster, the writer and director of Hereditary, recently discussed with Gold Derby about his projects with A24, which include Midsommar, Beau is Afraid, and Eddington, alongside Hereditary. In his conversation, he revealed the existence of a written prequel to Hereditary. However, he expressed uncertainty about the timing and direction of this project, highlighting that it’s a prequel rather than a sequel, which adds complexity to its potential development.
“I wrote a prequel to this. It never feels like the right time. It’s a prequel, not a sequel, so I don’t know where this goes.”
The current cinematic landscape sees horror films gaining significant traction at the box office, including A24’s recent success, Backrooms, directed by the young filmmaker Kane Parsons, and Obsession by Curry Barker. Aster commented on the success of these films, noting, “This is a really interesting month for Curry and Kane. I’m thrilled to see that. That’s so exciting,” indicating a prosperous period for the genre.
Challenges in Filmmaking
Ari Aster also shared some of the financial struggles encountered during the making of Hereditary. He revealed that actor Danny DeVito was initially interested in financing the film but eventually did not. The director eventually secured funding from another source, which he described as a harrowing experience.
“It was just in the hands of a financier that was, how do we say it? Worse. I’m afraid to say the name because he might show up in my life. Really a nightmare who I had signed my life away, I had signed my film away to him. He had me in the palm of his hand. It was one of the darkest times of my life actually finishing this film and trying to protect it. Keep it from just blowing up.”
Despite these obstacles, the success of Hereditary at the box office and its continued popularity among horror enthusiasts might fuel the release of the prequel. However, Aster did not confirm any specific plans for its release. Given the current dominance of horror films in theaters worldwide, there seems to be a favorable climate for launching such a project, provided the challenges can be navigated successfully.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
