Longlegs Returns: Nicolas Cage’s Role And Sequel Plans Revealed

Okay, here's something I don't think anyone saw coming: we're getting more Longlegs. But not exactly the way you'd expect.

So if you were just recovering from the last movie and gearing up for the usual wait-before-a-sequel routine, let me stop you right there. The next Longlegs movie is officially happening, and it's already coming with a big shake-up on the studio side — plus a few other interesting curveballs.

Not a Sequel, but...Something Else

Let's get this straight: the new flick is not a straightforward sequel. According to what The Hollywood Reporter dug up, Osgood Perkins (writer/director of the original) is back, but instead of just picking up where the last film left off, he's apparently cooking up something "set in the Longlegs universe." Yeah, vague — but so was every trailer for the first movie, and that worked out pretty well for everyone.

So, you're probably wondering: what does "set in the universe" even mean here? Well, no one's spelling it out, but you shouldn't expect the plot to just pick up with the cliffhanger or directly retread the story of FBI agent Lee Harker. This sounds more like a new angle with familiar vibes, maybe new characters, maybe a weird side story — still up in the air, honestly. They're definitely not calling it a sequel, which is kind of refreshing for once.

Who's Doing What?

• Director/Writer: Osgood Perkins (returning from the original, so expect the same level of creepy energy and ominous pacing)
• Studio: Paramount Pictures — the rights have moved from Neon to the big leagues. Neon, who pulled off that wild viral marketing campaign for part one, is officially not involved this time.
• Longlegs Himself: If you liked Nicolas Cage's absolutely deranged serial killer performance, you're in luck — he's back both as the character and as a producer. That means Cage is dialed in, creatively and financially, which is always a good sign if you're a Cage fan.
• Lee Harker (Maika Monroe): No idea. The trades didn't say if she's returning, so for now her involvement seems totally up in the air. Not shocking, since it's not a direct sequel.

Quick Recap on Longlegs Success

If you missed the mania: Longlegs hit theaters in 2024, written and directed by Perkins, with Cage as the titular killer and Maika Monroe as the slightly clairvoyant FBI agent trying to hunt him down. People could not shut up about the movie’s haunting marketing campaign (props to Neon’s team for pulling off a full alternate reality game), and it showed in the box office numbers: $128 million worldwide on a $10 million budget. Not only did it become Neon’s biggest domestic hit, but it was also the highest-grossing indie film of the year and the biggest thing Perkins has done so far.

The Bottom Line

So, if you're hoping for more of Cage in terrifying weirdo mode, you're in luck. The new project is still playing it cryptic, but with Perkins steering the ship and Cage front and center, chances are good we'll get something that keeps the creepy, unpredictable energy going. We just don't know exactly what shape it'll take, or how connected it'll be to the piece of horror that launched it all.

Honestly, if you're a fan of "what the hell are they doing next?" announcements, this one's for you.