A new spin-off from the popular horror franchise, ‘Insidious,’ is in the works, starring the Oscar nominee Kumail Nanjiani (“Eternals,” “The Big Sick”) and Emmy-nominated actress Mandy Moore, per Deadline. The new spin-off is called “Thread: An Insidious Tale” and will be directed by Jeremy Slater (“Moon Knight”, “Mortal Kombat 2”).
Kumail Nanjiani and Mandy Moore to headline ‘Thread: An Insidious Tale’
Slater directs the project from his own script. The film hails from Screen Gems, Blumhouse and James Wan’s Atomic Monster banner. The “Insidious” franchise is set to return to theaters later this year, with “Insidious: The Red Door” set to release in July.
“The Red Door” will see the cast of the original film reprise their roles for the upcoming sequel, including Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Simpkins and Line Shayne. Wilson is directing the sequel from a screenplay by Scott Teems.
“Thread” will mark the sixth feature in the film series, which features ordinary people who clash with evil and demonic forces. Deadline reports that “Thread” will be a “spin-off” from the franchise rather than a continuation of the current series. The story follows a husband and wife, played here by Nanjiani and Moore, who seek the aid of a time-traveling spell to try to prevent the death of their young daughter. However, the spell has serious consequences.
The franchise has been lucrative, with the first four films grossing more than $542 million worldwide since the release of “Insidious” in 2010. Considering “Insidious: Chapter 3” and “Insidious: The Last Key” cost only between $10 and $11. million, the films are very profitable.
Moore recently starred in six seasons of the hit NBC series, “This Is Us.” She also recently wrapped filming the second season of the Peacock anthology series, “Dr. Death,” opposite Edgar Ramirez. Another project on her plate is the upcoming Hulu series, “Twin Flames,” based on the Wondery podcast, which she will also produce.
Nanjiani recently appeared in the Hulu limited series, “Welcome to Chippendales,” and the Disney+ live-action “Star Wars” miniseries, “Obi-Wan Kenobi.” He also starred in Marvel Studios’ 2021 film, “Eternals.” Currently, he is also filming “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” for Sony Pictures, which is due out later this year. Nanjiani was previously nominated for Best Original Screenplay for his work on “The Big Sick,” which he also starred in. In 2019, the actor also received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his work on “The Blurred Zone.”
“Thread: An Insidious Tale” does not yet have a release date. It could take some time to start production as the entertainment industry is currently facing a strike from the Writers Guild of America (WGA). Additionally, the Alliance of Film and Television Producers (AMPTP) has yet to sign any new contracts with the actors and directors guilds, and the deadline for signing new deals is fast approaching. If AMPTP doesn’t sign new contracts with SAG-AFTRA and DGA by June 30, Hollywood actors and directors could potentially join screenwriters on the picket lines.