Orphan's Isabelle Fuhrman Confirms No CGI Was Used To De-Age Her In Prequel

Orphan’s Isabelle Fuhrman has confirmed that no CGI was used to de-age herself in the upcoming prequel.

The 25-year-old actor is perhaps most known for playing the role of Esther in the 2009 psychological horror when she was 12-years-old, which tells the story of a couple who adopt a nine-year-old just after the tragic loss of their unborn child.

Viewers will remember how the movie eventually reveals that Esther is actually a 33-year-old woman named Leena who has a rare condition which stunted her growth and allowed her to falsely impersonate a child.

The prequel to the horror movie was announced in 2020, and is set for release on 19th August 2022.

But, amazingly, Isabelle’s youthful looks have meant that producers haven’t had the need to use special visual effects to make her look the age of her character.

The actor, who will become the first to reprise a role in a film played previously as a child, told The Hollywood Reporter: “We didn’t use special effects, we didn’t use any crazy makeup tricks.

“And I think that’s what makes the movie work, is because you really can’t figure out how I look like a [9-year-old], but I do. And it’s really creepy,” she told the publication.

Elsewhere in the interview, the actor reflected on what it was like stepping into her youth again.

“I was there every day. I know how we did this. I know all the tricks, and I’m so thoroughly disturbed right now because I somehow am 9 years old again, and it doesn’t make any sense. 

“I was like, ‘How do I revisit this part and then also convincingly play a kid?’ Because that was the easy part last time — the hard part was trying to be an adult! Now the hard part is I have to be a kid,” she admitted.

Back in May last year, the movie was in the 'final stages' of completion, with director William Brent Bell promising an 'extremely violent' and 'brutal' ride for the film.

The new instalment to the franchise will serve as a prequel, providing the back-story to Esther - who, it turns out, is actually called Leena.

In the forthcoming movie, audiences will find out about how she escaped from an Estonian psychiatric facility and travelled to America while impersonating the missing daughter of a wealthy family.

Orphan: First Kill is set for cinema release in the UK on August 19, 2022 and will arrive on Paramount Plus in the US on the same date.