Creator Of Bird Box Says A Sequel Is 'In Development'

Warning: Spoilers for Bird Box ahead

A sequel to Netflix's Bird Box is in development, the author of the novel the film is based on has said.

Josh Malerman has already completed the follow-up novel - Malorie - to the original, with is set to hit shelves later this year.

But the writer has now revealed that work has already begun on bringing his next story to the screen.

Speaking to Inverse about the plans, Malerman said he wasn't able to say much about it, but that the cogs were very much in motion.

He said: "I can't say much, but I can say that it is in development. Sometimes it's weird, all this secrecy, but I'm game."

The sequel will follow the central character to the original, Malorie, played by Sandra Bullock in the 2018 film.

PA

Malerman explained: "Malorie opens at the school for the blind, which is where the movie ends. Then it jumps a few years later, and it really takes off 10 years after that."

For those of you who have yet to become acquainted with Malerman's dystopian nightmare, the basic gist is that supernatural entities take the appearance of their victims' worst fears, regrets, and losses, causing them to kill themselves. The only way to protect yourself is to don a blindfold.

The film's synopsis explains: "When a mysterious force decimates the world's population, only one thing is certain: if you see it, you take your life.

"Facing the unknown, Malorie finds love, hope and a new beginning only for it to unravel. Now she must flee with her two children down a treacherous river to the one place left that may offer sanctuary. But to survive, they'll have to undertake the perilous two-day journey blindfolded."

Netflix

The movie became one of the most successful films to hit Netflix, with millions streaming it within the first few days of its release.

However, not every aspect of the novel was portrayed in the film.

The ending may have been surprisingly cheery - well, relative to the grimness that came before it. But it could have been a hell of a lot worse if the film had followed the book it was based on to the letter. And it would have been pretty damn dark.

In the film, Malorie reached the sanctuary with Girl and Boy after a mammoth river trek.

Once there they find people roaming the grounds, including Malorie's physician, Dr Lapham. If you watch closely, a few residents are blind and using guide dogs or sticks as aids. The viewer never finds out anything about them.

But it's a hopeful place with children playing and birds singing.

The book's ending is quite different, however - while it's still relatively cheery, it's much darker.

As Malorie and the kids get inside they find that the people there have all blinded themselves to stay safe.

Topics: TV and Film, US Entertainment, Netflix

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

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