# Ari Aster Hereditary prequel script finished but not moving forward

**Published:** 2026-06-17T15:36:05.144Z  
**Topic:** Aster  
**Sentiment:** neutral  
**Publisher:** TrendWatcher — https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/2c05b390-39fc-458e-ac54-ef36730463f4

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 |

## Script completed, but timing isn’t right  

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.

## Box‑office success versus development inertia  

*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.

## Industry context and future possibilities  

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.

## What to watch  
- Any future statements from Aster or A24 regarding a production schedule for the prequel.  
- Announcements of new horror projects that could share talent or resources with the *Hereditary* universe.  
- Shifts in Aster’s development priorities as his nine pending projects move toward production.

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.

## Sources
1. AOL — [Hereditary Prequel Script Is Finished, but Ari Aster Isn’t Making It Yet](https://www.aol.com/entertainment/hereditary-prequel-script-finished-ari-025935351.html)
2. Soap Central — [Will Hereditary get a prequel? Ari Aster says he's already written one](https://www.soapcentral.com/entertainment/will-hereditary-get-prequel-ari-aster-says-already-written-one)
3. The Playlist — [Ari Aster Reveals He’s Written A ‘Hereditary’ Prequel: “Never Feels Like The Right Time”](https://theplaylist.net/ari-aster-wrote-hereditary-prequel-20260608/)

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Cite as: TrendWatcher, "Ari Aster Hereditary prequel script finished but not moving forward", https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/2c05b390-39fc-458e-ac54-ef36730463f4