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Ari Aster confirmed a completed Hereditary prequel script exists, yet he says it “never feels like the right time” to produce, leaving fans uncertain about any
Ari Aster told a live audience that the prequel script for his 2018 horror hit Hereditary is fully written, but he has no immediate plans to bring it to the screen, underscoring why the project remains in limbo despite the film’s commercial success.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Script status | Completed (pre‑release) |
| Production intent | No current plans to film |
| Catalyst | Director’s comment at American Cinematheque Bleak Week Q&A |
| Box‑office context | $90.2 M gross on a $10 M budget |
During a Q&A for the American Cinematheque’s Bleak Week, Aster revealed he had finished a prequel that explores events before the original Hereditary story, but he “never feels like the right time” to move forward, emphasizing that the material is a prequel, not a sequel, and leaving its future uncertain [1]. The director added that he does not know where the story would go, offering no production schedule or studio attachment.
Hereditary turned a modest $10 million budget into a $90.2 million worldwide gross, earning an 8.2‑star rating on IMDb from over 400 k users and a 90 % Tomatometer score, yet the prequel remains shelved [2]. Aster’s reluctance appears unrelated to the film’s financial performance; instead, he cites creative timing and the distinction between a prequel and a sequel as the primary reasons for the delay.
Aster’s comments came as he praised emerging horror creators like Kane Parsons and Curry Barker, whose low‑budget projects are gaining box‑office traction and prompting studios to consider more original genre films [3]. While the prequel script sits on the shelf, the director’s broader slate includes nine other projects in development, suggesting his focus is elsewhere for now.
The prequel’s existence confirms that the Hereditary narrative can be expanded, but without a clear production path, its impact on the franchise remains speculative, leaving fans to wonder when—or if—the story will finally be told.
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 3 outlets · Jun 17, 2026 · How we report
Yes, Aster confirmed in a Q&A that he has written a completed prequel script for Hereditary.
Aster stated that it never feels like the right time and he has no current plans to make the prequel.
He said he hates the term, calling it a box critics placed him in, and rejects using it to describe his films.
Aster said DeVito attempted to fund the film but was unable to secure the necessary resources.
He highlighted Kane Parsons, director of Backrooms, and Curry Barker, filmmaker of Obsession, as examples of successful young horror creators.