M3gan 2.0, the AI-focused sequel to Blumhouse’s breakout 2023 hit, is now in production. Jason Blum, the head of Blumhouse, celebrated the milestone by releasing an animated GIF of the M3gan doll. It’s a pretty horrifying image to witness in part because the animatronic doesn’t have any skin yet.
Take a look for yourself:
M3gan 2.0 was originally set for release on January 17, 2025, but it has since shifted to to May 16, 2025. That’s a delay of about four months. Akela Cooper, who wrote the original film, is coming back to write the sequel, while director Gerard Johnstone is returning as well.
Producer James Wan said the M3gan sequel will further delve into fears about AI rising up.
“The first film came just at the right time [when concerns about AI were mounting], and we’re definitely leaning into that on the next one. We’re exploring the AI universe even further,” he said, as reported by Collider.
M3gan was a surprise hit when it released in 2023. The movie starred Amie Donald as the body of the doll; Jenna Davis voiced her. The concept was that a company created a robot doll meant to befriend and protect a child, but obviously things go very badly and the doll rises up and goes on a killing spree.
M3gan earned $180 million at the box office worldwide. The film is now streaming on Peacock. Beyond the main M3gan series, Blumhouse is making an erotic thriller spinoff.