Seven years after the intense, hurricane-set original captivated audiences, 'Crawl 2' is making waves with its latest casting announcements. The first film, lauded for its claustrophobic tension and effective creature scares, was a significant box office success, earning over $91.5 million globally against a modest $13.5 million budget. Alexandre Aja, known for his work on 'High Tension' and 'The Hills Have Eyes,' is back in the director's chair and is also contributing to the screenplay.

Joining the previously announced leads, Mason Gooding (from the recent 'Scream' franchise entries) and Emily Rudd ('One Piece,' 'Fear Street Part Two: 1978'), are a host of talented actors. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the new additions include Sarah Niles, recognized for her role in 'Ted Lasso' and 'Heads of State,' and Ray Panthaki, who starred in 'Marcella' and 'The Chef.' Also signing on are Charley Palmer Rothwell ('The Running Man,' 'iBoy') and Flula Borg, known for his comedic turn as Javelin in 'The Suicide Squad' and 'Pitch Perfect 2.'

Perhaps the most exciting addition for horror fans is Richard Brake. With a distinctive presence in the genre, Brake's extensive filmography includes memorable roles in 'The Incident,' 'Game of Thrones,' 'Mandy,' 'Barbarian,' and '3 From Hell.' His casting signals a continued commitment to intense, character-driven horror for the sequel.

© Paramount Pictures

Aja is co-writing the script with his frequent collaborator Gregory Levasseur. They are joined by Jason Harry Pagan and Andrew Deutschman, whose previous credits include 'Project Almanac' and 'Paranormal Activity: Ghost Dimension.' The sequel, which has been in development since 2024, now has official release dates: July 16, 2027, in the United States, and two days earlier, on July 14, 2027, in France.

Crawl: Kaya Scodelario The first Crawl film

This isn't the only aquatic creature feature on Aja's plate. The director is also involved in the sequel to 'Sous la Seine' (internationally known as 'Under Paris'), the French shark film that became a surprise hit on Netflix. While that project has yet to receive a release date, the initial teaser poster, featuring the Eiffel Tower submerged, promises another thrilling dive into the deep.

Ray Panthaki in Away Ray Panthaki in Away

Richard Brake in 3 From Hell Richard Brake in 3 From Hell