First Omen: The Omen prequel has been filmed, might get a 2023 release

Just over four months ago, it was announced that Nell Tiger Free of the Apple TV+ series Servant had signed on to star in First Omen, a prequel to the horror classic The Omen (watch it HERE). Details on the character Free would be playing weren’t revealed, but it would be her first leading role in a major studio film. And unlike the survival thriller Fall Into Darkness, which Free was cast in back in 2021, First Omen actually got made. During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Free confirmed that First Omen has already wrapped production and it might even be ready for a 2023 release.

When asked what she could say about First Omen, Free replied, “I can tell you that we have finished shooting. We have made the movie. It matches Servant with how much I truly loved the project and how excited I am about it. Even though there are notes and elements that are similar to Servant and (her character on the show) Leanne, it’s so wildly different. So it’s going to be really cool. At least I hope it’s going to be really cool. I’m very proud of it. So, hopefully, it’s going to be out this year. I don’t know when.“

We first heard that a prequel to The Omen was in development way back in 2016. At that time, Antonio Campos (The Devil All the Time) was in talks to direct First Omen from a script by Ben Jacoby (Bleed). Later The Conjuring writers Chad and Carey Hayes came on board to work on the script, and they were followed by author Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl). The film ended up being directed by Arkasha Stevenson – who has previously directed episodes of the genre shows Channel Zero, Legion, and Brand New Cherry Flavor. Stevenson rewrote the script with her writing partner Tim Smith.

Details on the plot have never been shared. The Hayes Brothers said First Omen will show us “where Damien came from”. The film is being produced by David S. Goyer and Keith Levine of Phantom Four, with Gracie Wheelan overseeing the project for Phantom Four.

Directed by Richard Donner from a screenplay by David Seltzer, The Omen was released in 1976 and had the following synopsis: American diplomat Robert (Gregory Peck) adopts Damien (Harvey Stephens) when his wife, Katherine (Lee Remick), delivers a stillborn child. After Damien’s first nanny hangs herself, Father Brennan (Patrick Troughton) warns Robert that Damien will kill Katherine’s unborn child. Shortly thereafter, Brennan dies and Katherine miscarries when Damien pushes her off a balcony. As more people around Damien die, Robert investigates Damien’s background and realizes his adopted son may be the Antichrist.

The Omen was followed by Damien: Omen II in 1978, Omen III: The Final Conflict in 1981, Omen IV: The Awakening in 1991, and a 2006 remake.

Are you interested in First Omen? Let us know by leaving a comment below. I can’t say I ever felt the need for a prequel to The Omen, but hopefully it has turned out well. Maybe we’ll know by the end of 2023.