In a message on the official site, original director Oren Peli announced The Door in the Floor helmer Kip Williams will direct Paranormal Activity 2 set for release on October 22.
Williams signs on as the production hit a snag back in January when Saw VI helmer Kevin Greutert was originally supposed to direct. But when the release date was announced in direct competition with Lionsgate’s Saw VII, the studio exercised their option and forced Greutert to return to direct the next Saw film against his wishes. It was actually a rather messy situation that even had Greutert leaving the following message on his official site:
I just had the task of telling my 83 year old mother that no, I’m not going to be allowed to direct the movie we were all so excited about when my family last got together, and that I’m being forced to leave town before getting a chance to see her again. Yes, I’ll be filming people getting tortured YET AGAIN. So we’ll have to put off me making a film she can actually watch for another year.
I’m not making this shit up.
Greutert fulfilled his duty and Saw VII will be released in 3D also on October 22, which should make for an interesting weekend as neither studio seems to be balking.
The original Paranormal Activity was released on September 25, 2009 in limited cities and expanded throughout the year ultimately earning over $107 million domestically. Oren Peli made the film for a mere $15,000 and has since signed a deal with Paramount to direct Area 51, which will also be released later this year.
Paranormal Activity centered on a young middle class couple who moved into a house only to become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be somehow demonic but is certainly most active in the middle of the night. Using a “found footage” approach the film was one of the scariest films I have ever seen. There is no word on what direction the sequel will take but production is expected to begin this May.
