New Line eyes Weapons prequel

A prequel to the horror hit Weapons is in early development at New Line.

New Line Plans Weapons Prequel in Early Talks

New Line is in early talks for a prequel to Weapons, the buzzy horror film from writer director Zach Cregger. Plot details are under wraps, and it is unclear how involved Cregger will be, as the project is still in its infancy. A writer friend pitched an idea that sparked interest, and executives at New Line and Warner Bros have not heard the specifics yet.

Cregger has two other projects on his schedule, including prepping a Resident Evil film for Sony. He may then work on an original project titled Flood. Weapons tells the story of 17 third graders who vanish from their homes at exactly 2:17 a.m. in the town of Maybrook, Pennsylvania. Julia Garner plays Justine Gandy, a third grade teacher who loses her class, with Josh Brolin as a father whose child is among the missing, and Alden Ehrenreich as a local cop. Other cast members include Austin Abrams, Benedict Wong, Amy Madigan, and Cary Christopher. The film opened on August 8 and earned about 42.5 million dollars in the United States during its opening weekend, topping the domestic box office. It has grossed over 81 million dollars worldwide. Cregger is set to adapt the video game Resident Evil for release on September 18, 2026.

Expanding Weapons shows that New Line wants to grow a horror world with a built in audience. The plan is not about rushing a sequel but about shaping a connected story universe. The lack of details signals caution as the project moves from idea to planning.

Two risks loom. If the prequel arrives too soon or feels like a retread, fans may push back. If the concept stays strong with clear ties to the original characters and tone, the extension can pay off. The pace of Cregger is other projects will shape how the prequel is developed and who drives its creative direction.

Highlights

The next chapter will reveal how far the story can travel.