Mike Flanagan Wants to Return to the Water with Jaws Sequel

Mike Flanagan has named two of cinema’s most untouchable blockbusters as dream projects: Jaws (1975) and Jurassic Park (1993). Crucially, though, he is not suggesting that anyone should try to replace Steven Spielberg’s classic originals. He wants a crack at the sequels, where the water is murkier and the fences are already down. 

Speaking in a Reddit AMA held to promote his Stephen King adaptation Carrie (2026), Flanagan reflected on his changing attitude towards franchises. The filmmaker behind The Haunting of Hill House (2018), Doctor Sleep (2019), Midnight Mass (2021), and The Fall of the House of Usher (2023) once believed sequels and established properties were not for him. Apparently, that ship has sailed. Possibly through shark-infested waters.

“I spent a lot of my career thinking I wouldn't do franchises or sequels, and - whoops - but I really love getting to play in a world I know and respect and adore, and put my own spin on it. Honestly, I wish to hell I could make a JAWS movie. Another example where no one will EVER get close to the original, but there is a ton of room for improvement on the sequels. A JURASSIC movie could be a blast too, I'd want to go really scary with it. A true dinosaur horror film would be a blast.”

When you think about it, this is the correct attitude to take towards Jaws (1975). After all, nobody is topping Spielberg’s masterpiece, and Flanagan  is not even suggesting that he could try, instead, he want a solid bite of  sequel. Jaws 2 (1978) has its good sides, while Jaws 3-D (1983) and Jaws: The Revenge (1987) drifted considerably further from the shore. The franchise has been dormant on the big screen ever since, filled with many imitators and more shark films than you can shake a blood leg at. A Flanagan-directed Jaws follow-up could offer something the later films largely abandoned... patient dread!

His interest in a Jurassic Park (1993) follow-up is equally intriguing. Despite dinosaurs being giant, hungry and objectively terrifying, many later entries have leaned further into action spectacle than outright horror. Flanagan wants the opposite: “a true dinosaur horror film”.

So let me be the voice of the people and say to Flanagan, on both counts. Yes please!

Got thoughts, theories, or screams to share? Drop your comments below, or haunt us over  on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Want even more chills? Lurk with fellow fiends on our Fans Page to join like minded horror fans. Or stalk me personally on Twitter.