While the impact of many horror films lasts well beyond the end credits, few manage to strike so close to home as the Final Destination films. After watching all five films in the series, no one will ever again feel completely secure when riding a roller coaster, standing at a railroad crossing, passing through a car wash, or, heaven forbid, following a semitrailer carrying logs. The Hollywood Reporter claims that New Line Cinema is reviving the terrifying franchise with Final Destination 6 and that Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, both of whom have been nominated for Emmys, will helm the film. New Line’s next death-defying entry has been delayed due in part to the search for the perfect director, even though rumours of a revival have been swirling since 2019.
The job was reportedly applied for by over two hundred people, but Emile Hirsch’s Freaks, which they co-wrote and directed in 2018, cemented Lipovsky and Stein’s reputation as the right people to direct the sequel. The two brought not just a deep familiarity with the series but also an impressive level of flair to their pitch over Zoom.
The Hollywood Reporter claims that Lipovsky and Stein pitched their idea to New Line Cinema executives and producers over a Zoom conversation. As the discussion was winding down, the mantle of the fireplace behind them caught fire. Just how timely is that? After quickly putting out the fire, the two filmmakers returned to their seats to resume the call, only to be disturbed once more by the unexplained creaking sound. One of the directors was instantly severed from his neck when the fan from above came tumbling down. Final Destination 6 was theirs because “the bit, employing a blend of pre-recorded film and visual effects, had transitioned flawlessly and shown their unrestrained joy.”
While the specifics of the sixth instalment’s narrative remain under wraps, we recently reported that series creator Jeffrey Reddick revealed the relaunch will deviate from the standard franchise formula. Many unlucky people will try to fake their way off of Death’s list, but a premonition will still start the killings started in Final Destination 6. As things stand, Final Destination 6 will depict a group of first responders who narrowly avoid a terrible death, which in turn triggers Death’s iconic one-by-one murdering rampage.
Writers Guy Busick (2019’s Ready or Not) and Lori Evans Taylor (2022)… are in good hands with the screenplay. While no actors have been cast as of yet, Spider-Man: Homecoming director Jon Watts and Atlanta’s Dianne McGunigle will be back on board.