A surprise spinoff to David Cronenberg's 1986 horror classic Cronenberg's scariest movies, following scientist Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum) who, while testing a teleportation device, becomes infused with fly DNA. The movie received critical acclaim and was a box office success. However, its 1989 sequel, The Fly II, was critically panned.

Now, Deadline has confirmed that a spinoff to The Fly has been announced from 20th Century Studios, which will be written and directed by Nikyatu Jusu (Nanny). The movie will be also be produced by Peter Chernin and Jenno Topping of Chernin Entertainment, with specific plot details about what the film will entail currently under wraps. However, it will not be a remake nor a direct sequel, instead being an independent movie that is set within the same universe as the Cronenberg classic.

What The Fly Spinoff Means For The Horror Movie's Future

The Movie Could Simply Be Inspired By Its Predecessor

The Fly follows Seth's slow transformation into a human-fly hybrid, his body and mind slowly transforming as he becomes more monstrous. The slow descent of a genius scientist into an instinctual creature makes the movie both terrifying and tragic, while elevating it into one of the best monster movies of all time. Jusu's spinoff can play into these elements thanks to her creation of 2022's Nanny, a critically acclaimed psychological horror movie that could reflect what to expect from the forthcoming installment.

Given the nature of its predecessor, the new film will also likely delve into body horror, making for a visually distinctive film depending on what the story ends up being. Luckily, the critical and commercial success of 2024's The Substance means the horror subgenre still has plenty of steam left, with The Fly spinoff potentially helping bolster a major return. The story could even have tangential connections to the original, using it as a launchpad for an original story that delves into a new, terrifying premise in a similar way.

Our Take On The Fly Spinoff Announcement

The Movie Could Provide Fresh Ideas To The Original Concept

Although there are no story details yet about The Fly spinoff, its place in the body horror universe indicates the subgenre will be getting a revamp thanks to the new film. This could mean an increase of original ideas that differentiate the movie from the established norms of Cronenberg's, pulling inspiration without directly copying it. Since there are plenty of details yet to be revealed, the new movie could be a surprising installment whose connections to the original are important to its development.

Jusu is also working on a Night of the Living Dead sequel and an untitled horror movie under Universal and Monkey's Paw.

Source: Deadline