The horror genre is going through an incredibly fruitful period at the moment. Filmmakers likeLuca Guadagnino,Ari Aster,John Krasinski, and of courseJordan Peelehave delivered thoughtful, artful, and downright terrifying horror films over the past couple of years, and now another beloved filmmaker is about to make his horror debut:Edgar Wright.
Indeed, Wright tellsEmpirethat his next project is a psychological horror thriller set in London, starring a female lead. Explicit details are under lock and key, but Wright citesNicolas Roeg’s 1973 classicDon’t Look NowandRoman Polanski’s 1965 filmRepulsionas influences. Both of those films blur the line between hallucination and reality with visual panache, and given Wright’s reputation as a confident and exacting visual filmmaker, if he is indeed pulling from those aspects of those movies, we’re no doubt in for a treat.
Speaking with Empire, Wright says the film is somewhat personal in nature:
“I realised I had never made a film about central London – specifically Soho, somewhere I’ve spent a huge amount of time in the last 25 years. WithHot FuzzandShaun of the Deadyou make movies about places you’ve lived in. This movie is about the London I’ve existed in."
Wright co-wrote the screenplay withKrysty Wilson-Cairns, who was a staff writer onPenny Dreadfuland co-wroteSam Mendes’ upcoming film1917. The untitled project is expected to start filming this summer in London.
Wright’s spectacularShaun of the Deadcertainly pulled from the horror genre and had some spooky moments, and his delightfulGrindhousetrailerDon’twas downright masterful in execution, but this new project will be his first time crafting a straight-up thriller. Just asBaby Driverwas Wright’s first time making a straight-up action-thriller, to phenomenal results.
Speaking of which, Wright confirms to Empire that a first draft ofBaby Driver 2now exists, adding that it “introduces a whole swath of new characters following the original’s high body-count, and ‘takes the story further.’’ But it’s likely now up to Sony as to whetherBaby Driver 2happens, and in the meantime Wright is delivering on a longheld desire to make a genuine horror movie.
Any new piece of material from Wright is cause for excitement, but I am beyond thrilled at the prospect of seeing him create an original horror story. No word on a release date or casting just yet, but this is very, very good news.
Revisit Wright’s trailer for the non-existent horror filmDon’t, which was created forGrindhouse, below, followed by the trailers forDon’t Look NowandRepulsion.
