Exclusive: Jessica Rothe discusses hopes for Happy Death Day 3
It’s been just over a year since audiences were last treated to the hilarious and mind-bending Happy Death Day 2U and though writer/director Christopher Landon has expressed his desire for a third installment, the lower box office gross has kept expectations low on the film getting made. While chatting with star Jessica Rothe for her role in the upcoming Valley Girl remake, ComingSoon.net explored the possibilities and plans for a potential Happy Death Day 3.
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In looking at the second film and how it paved the way for a third outing, the 32-year-old star noted that while active development may not be underway on the project, that hasn’t stopped Landon from preparing the story.
I would love if we had the opportunity to complete the trilogy. I know that Chris has it all mapped out in his genius brain, but I also know that we only want to complete it if we get to do it right.
With the goal of ensuring Landon, Rothe and the rest of the cast get to complete the trilogy story arc in the way they want to do it, she is prepared to wait as long as it takes for the project to come together, especially if it means getting to be like one of the most iconic horror heroines.
I think it’s just a question of seeing if the opportunity for that exists in the world. But the funny thing is I have a feeling whether it’s now or in five years or ten or twenty, if we pull a Jamie Lee Curtis from Halloween and Tree comes back as a badass 50-year-old, I know that we will get to tell the rest of the story. I love Tree, I love that character so much and I feel very, very grateful to have been a part of that.
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Rothe leads the returning cast of Happy Death Day 2U, the follow-up to Blumhouse’s (Split, Get Out, The Purge series) surprise 2017 smash hit of riveting, repeating twists and comic turns. This time, our hero Tree (Rothe) discovered that dying over and over was surprisingly easier than the dangers that lie ahead. Jason Blum once again produced and Landon returned to write and direct the second chapter, while Happy Death Day executive producers Angela Mancuso and John Baldecchi were newly joined by EP Samson Mucke (Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse). The sequel also starred Israel Broussard, Ruby Modine, Rachel Matthews, and Phi Vu.
The film opened on Valentine’s Day last year to nearly the same level of positive reviews from critics as the first film, who continued to praise Rothe’s performance and its better blend of comedy and sci-fi, and grossed a strong $64.5 million on a $9 million budget, but was seen as a financial disappointment compared to its predecessor’s $125.5 million on a $4.8 million budget. Though Landon has stated the third installment isn’t currently in development, he has stated he will share the finale story in some medium while producer Jason Blum has stated that it’s “not impossible” it will eventually be made.
Valley Girl is set to hit digital platforms and VOD on May 8!
