A sequel to Netflix‘s hit animated film KPop Demon Hunters has reportedly been confirmed, and has landed a release date – find out more below.
Per a Deadline report, KPop Demon Hunters has been officially been greenlit by Netflix and Sony, just months after the hit film’s release. While details remain scarce, the report indicates that KPop Demon Hunters 2 is slated to release sometime in 2029.
Additionally, creator-director Maggie Kang and co-director Chris Appelhans are set to return. Plans for an animated sequel were being discussed as early as August 28, just days after the original film’s release.
Released August 23, the Netflix movie tells the story of a group of internationally renowned singers who lead a double life as demon hunters. It swiftly became a global phenomenon, becoming the most watched film in Netflix history, and its success was bolstered by sing-along screenings held in cinemas, reportedly grossing around $20million (£14.9million) in a single weekend.
Following the success of the film, rumours began circulating that a live-action remake is being considered – the creator and director of the film, Maggie Kang, told the BBC she doesn’t like the idea. “There’s so many elements of the tone and the comedy that are so suited for animation,” she said. “It’s really hard to imagine these characters in a live-action world. It would feel too grounded. So totally it wouldn’t work for me.”
Co-director Chris Appelhans agreed: “One of the great things about animation is that you make these composites of impossibly great attributes. Rumi can be this goofy comedian and then singing and doing a spinning back-kick a second later and then freefalling through the sky. The joy of animation is how far you can push and elevate what’s possible. I remember they adapted a lot of different anime and often times, it just feels a little stilted.”
For now, the film will turn its attention to awards season, with KPop Demon Hunters reportedly up against Rosé and other artists for K-pop’s first Grammy.