The announcement, initially reported by Ecranlarge.com, brings exciting news for horror enthusiasts who have eagerly awaited the continuation of the intense survival story. While a French theatrical release date is yet to be confirmed, it's customary for such films to debut in France on the Wednesday preceding their transatlantic launch, suggesting a potential July 14 premiere.
Alexandre Aja, known for his visceral approach to horror in films like High Tension and the 2006 remake of The Hills Have Eyes, is back at the helm for Crawl 2. He is also credited as a co-writer on the sequel, alongside Jason Harry Pagan and Andrew Deutschman, whose previous credits include Project Almanac and Paranormal Activity 5: Ghost Dimension. Long-time collaborator Gregory Levasseur, who worked with Aja on High Tension and The Hills Have Eyes, also joins the writing team. Behind the camera, Bojan Bazelli, celebrated for his cinematography on Gore Verbinski's The Lone Ranger and A Cure for Wellness, will serve as Director of Photography, promising a visually striking and suspenseful experience.
The cast for Crawl 2 is beginning to take shape, with Mason Gooding, recognized for his role as Chad in the recent Scream installments, and Emily Rudd, known for her portrayal of Nami in Netflix's One Piece series, confirmed to star. Their involvement suggests a fresh ensemble ready to face the relentless reptilian threat.
The journey to Crawl 2's release has been a patient one for fans. The sequel has been in development since 2024, following the critical and commercial success of the original Crawl, which garnered praise for its claustrophobic tension and practical effects. Production faced delays, reportedly due to the acquisition of Paramount by Skydance in 2025, pushing back its highly anticipated debut.
This upcoming project marks a significant moment for Aja, especially after his recent thriller Mother Land, starring Halle Berry, underperformed at the box office in 2024. Despite a reported production budget of $20 million (excluding marketing), Mother Land only managed to pull in $10.3 million domestically and $16.9 million worldwide, a disappointing outcome for Lionsgate. However, Aja's prolific career continues unabated, with Crawl 2 being one of two major sequels on his horizon. He is also attached to Sous la Seine 2, the follow-up to Xavier Gens' 2024 shark film, which is slated for a 2027 release on Netflix.
With Crawl 2, Aja aims to replicate the intense, creature-feature thrills that made the first film a standout. The combination of his seasoned direction, a strong writing team, and a promising cast sets the stage for what could be another gripping battle for survival against nature's most formidable predators.