Leigh Whannell says he wants to make Upgrade 2 but no plans exist yet

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

If you're one of the many fans of director Leigh Whannell's techno-thriller UPGRADE, you might want to pay special attention to the follow article. While there are no concrete plans to create a sequel to the 2018 Jason Blum-produced cult phenomenon thus far, Whannell has recently stated that he's be up for developing a follow-up, given an increased budget.

Recently while fielding a question from Fandom user GamerGangGang, asking whether or not THE INVISIBLE MAN director has any intentions of making a sequel to UPGRADE, Whannell simply stated "We'll see."

Okay, while that's not the most promising of statements – even if he didn't shoot the idea down outright – Whannell did go into more detail about the concept of an UPGRADE sequel when recently talking to Fandom about his upcoming horror-thriller THE INVISIBLE MAN.

“A sequel is a champagne problem created by the success of a movie,” Whannell explained to Fandom. “So Hollywood economics dictates whether there’s going to be a sequel, and Upgrade… I wouldn’t exactly call it a monster hit. I’d call it a cult hit, and cult hits, when they look at the books of cult hits, they’re like ‘Nyah, sequel’. So we’ll see. I loved making that film, so I’d love to do it with a bit more money.”

Additionally, Jason Blum, who produced UPGRADE via his Blumhoouse Productions label, has also voiced his enthusiasm for a sequel to Whannell's brutal film that I've been told reminds some of films like TOTAL RECALL or ROBOCOP.

“I would love an Upgrade sequel,” says Blum. “I will say that we haven’t put it to bed yet. We have no immediate plans, but Upgrade is very much on my mind — and on Leigh’s mind as well.”

Set in the near-future, the plot for UPGRADE tells of a time when technology controls nearly all aspects of life. But when Grey, a self-labelled technophobe's world's turned upside down, his only hope for revenge is an experimental computer chip implant.

Alright, it's confession time, folks. Are you ready? Okay, here goes. I've never seen UPGRADE. Yeah, I know. I'm disappointed in myself as well. To be clear though, I have all intentions of procuring a copy right after I publish this article. It's been a black mark on my record ever since the film's release, and I've already endured a fair amount of sass from my co-workers about my never having experienced what I hear is a fantastic bit of the old ultra violence.

You know what I do plan on seeing in the theater, though? THE INVISIBLE MAN, which hits theaters this Friday, February 28. The upcoming horror film stars Elisabeth Moss, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Aldis Hodge, Storm Reid and Harriet Dryer, among others.

Here's the logline for Whannell's upcoming frightfest:

When Cecilia's abusive ex takes his own life and leaves her his fortune, she suspects his death was a hoax. As a series of coincidences turn lethal, Cecilia works to prove that she is being hunted by someone nobody can see.

I promise you all that the next time we're talking about UPGRADE, I will have seen it. In the meantime, why not let us know if you're down for an UPGRADE sequel in the comments section down below?