20 years after the 2006 horror mockumentary Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon, a sequel has officially been announced that will follow the further adventures of the titular masked slasher.
Per Variety, who announced the news exclusively late last night, director Scott Glosserman and writer David J. Stieve are returning for the sequel, officially titled Behind the Mask: The Return of Leslie Vernon, as well as original stars Nathan Baesel, Angela Goethals and horror icon Robert Englund. Aaron B. Koontz and Cameron Burns' Paper Street Pictures will produce, with Adam F. Goldberg (Shelby Oaks) on board as executive producer.
Released in March of 2006, the meta Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon follows a journalist and her crew that are documenting an aspiring serial killer who models himself according to slasher film conventions. A sequel has been talked about a few times over the years, with Glosserman previously citing script challenges as one of the reasons it had yet to happen. Thankfully, it sounds like they've solved that problem.
At American Cinematheque's 20th anniversary screening of Behind the Mask last night, the crew reportedly confirmed eyeing a 2027 release for the slasher sequel.
Here's what Glosserman had to say of Leslie's return in an official statement:
“For 20 years, people have asked if Leslie would ever come back. The truth is, he never really left […] Fans kept this movie alive by sharing it, quoting it, introducing it to their friends, and treating it like something worth holding onto. This sequel is happening because of them.”
A Kickstarter will also be launched to help fund The Return of Leslie Vernon, although Glosserman stresses the film is happening with or without fan support (although we can't imagine Leslie stans will pass on the chance to be part of the sequel!):
“We’re making the movie either way […] But the more the audience gets involved, the bigger we can make it. Bigger set pieces. More cameos. More surprises. This has always been a fan-driven film, and it still is.”
Stay tuned for more on Behind the Mask: The Return of Leslie Vernon as we get it.
