After making $118M worldwide on A24’s Backrooms, its 20-year-old director Kane Parsons is already in talks to write a sequel with a partner. All that remains is to figure out who that partner might be.
Talking about his upcoming deal with A24, Parsons discussed the lack of any other greenlit projects or attached actors for the sequel, as his interest in the IP remains definite. “Without a doubt, Backrooms has always been planned to be more of a series that goes outside the confines of this film.” he said in a Variety interview. He was more forceful in a Polygon interview, quipping that follow-ups were “more than an option” and that what made the film was merely “the first part in what I would desire to be several narrative steps.”
Already Has a Sequel in Mind
In other words, Parsons has always had a sequel in mind. He began the original YouTube series in 2022 when he was 16. The organic following helped him secure the A24 deal to direct the feature film. On his press tour, he noted that while YouTube was where the IP started, theatrical screenings represent the next evolution of the narrative.
The story follows Clark, a furniture store owner played by Chiwetel Ejiofor. He stumbles into an unsettling liminal world and is later followed by his therapist, played by Renate Reinsve. The movie cost less than $10M. Its record-breaking opening weekend, grossing $81M domestically and $118M worldwide, is a massive financial victory. Several production companies are set to benefit, including 21 Laps, Atomic Monster/Blumhouse, Odd Fellows, and Chernin Entertainment.
Not Giving Up on YouTube
Parsons also said that he didn’t want to give up on YouTube. He also said that being a YouTuber has made him “immensely” happy. This might mean that the plan is to make two sequels, one YouTube version and one regular movie.
Backrooms is holding strong at the box office. Box office trackers expect the movie to maintain its momentum into next weekend. Once Parsons secures the right creative partner, the next chapter in the Backrooms cinematic universe can officially begin taking shape.
