The long-awaited third Happy Death Day movie has been given a devastating update from writer Christopher Landon.
The franchise began with the first 2017 movie, and follows a college student who relives the day of her murder repeatedly and sets out to find her killer.
The slasher became a big hit and was followed by 2019's Happy Death Day 2U, while fans have expressed keenness for another sequel since.
However, Landon – who directed both movies – has shared a disappointing update on where things stand, admitting that while they wanted get a threequel off the ground, it "went away".
"I didn't write the script because I never want to count my chickens and get ahead of myself. But I was ready to go and start writing this, but then it was sort of like, it was weird," he told SFX magazine.
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Landon revealed that they "had a lot of fits and spurts in terms of maybe we'll do it", with a TV series even mooted at one point.
"At one point they talked about it becoming a three-part event thing for [streaming service] Peacock, which was kind of weird," he recalled. "I was like, 'Alriiiiiight! Whatever it takes.' But then it went away and that was the last we ever heard of it – which was years ago."
Landon added: "It's been an interesting journey because both movies were financially very successful, so I think it's left us and a lot of fans scratching their heads as to why we weren't allowed to make a third.
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"But I don't control the purse strings, I don't call those shots. That's entirely up to Blumhouse and Universal, if they have an appetite or interest in it."
This isn't the first time Landon has dashed hopes of a third movie, the writer suggesting in 2023 that the lower box office performance of Happy Death Day 2U may have hampered plans.
Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
