Donnie Darko Sequel Begins Shooting This May
The cult film Donnie Darko is being spun off with a sequel called S. Darko with production set to begin later this month.
S. Darko will feature Daviegh Chase who played Donnie Darko's younger sister Samantha in the original film. She returns in a story that takes place 6-years after the events of the original film. Samantha, now 18-years-old is on a road trip to Los Angeles with her best friend Corey when they begin to have bizarre visions.
Also cast are the actors Ed Westwick (Son Of Rambow, Gossip Girl), Briana Evigan (Step Up 2) and Justin Chatwin (Dragon Ball).
The UK company Velvet Octopus is planning for sales of S. Darko in Cannes and Fox has the North American rights.
Chris Fisher is slated as the director, he previously made "Nightstalker" and "Rampage: The Hillside Strangler Murders." Fisher said; "I am a great admirer of Richard Kelly's film and hope to create a similar world of blurred fantasy and reality."
Simon Crowe of Velvet Octopus added: "I think there is a new generation of cinema-goers who will be very excited to see this film." In commenting about the story with Screen Rant Crowe added; "Donnie's not in [the new film] but there are meteorites and rabbits."
Richard Kelly has been approached for the project but is not involved in any way at this time.
The project starts shooting May 18 with a budget of $10 million.
The fans of Donnie Darko are a hardcore group as the film became an instant cult classic. No involvement from Kelly is not a good sign by any means. Kelly was able to tell his Donnie Darko story quite well twice with the original version and directors cut that was later released.