Octavia Spencer is officially returning for the sequel to the hit thriller ‘Ma’, with Blumhouse Productions announcing the project during their recent “Business of Fear” event. The news has reignited anticipation, as fans of the original are eager to see the horror icon reprise her role; this new installment places
“Octavia Spencer returning for Ma sequel at Blumhouse”
at the center of horror film discussions.
Blumhouse Reveals Plans for ‘Ma’ Follow-Up
At the “Business of Fear” event, hosted by Blumhouse CEO Jason Blum and creative partner James Wan of Atomic Monster, the company confirmed plans are underway for a sequel to the 2019 film ‘Ma.’ Reflecting Blumhouse’s approach of expanding successful horror titles into franchises, this announcement continues their tradition of producing suspenseful stories on modest budgets. While Octavia Spencer is confirmed to lead once again, no director has been named for the project so far. The creative team from the original—writer Scotty Landes and director Tate Taylor—has not been officially attached to the sequel at this stage.
Jason Blum, in a statement about the new film, emphasized its cultural impact and Spencer’s performance:
“‘Ma’ has proven to be a social phenomenon since its release in 2019, with fans eagerly embracing the film and Octavia’s iconic performance as Ma. As Ma likes to say ‘don’t make me drink alone,’ so we’re thrilled Octavia will join us again for a second round.”
—Jason Blum, CEO of Blumhouse Productions
The Story So Far: Recapping ‘Ma’
The original movie introduced audiences to Sue Ann Ellington, portrayed by Octavia Spencer, a solitary local veterinarian who develops an unusual connection with a group of high school students—Diana Silvers, Corey Fogelmanis, McKaley Miller, Gianni Paolo, and Dante Brown. Inviting them to use her basement for parties, Sue Ann—known as Ma—quickly becomes a trusted figure among the teens. However, the relationship takes a dark turn when her twisted motives and troubled history with their parents come to light, culminating in a violent quest for revenge. The story, set in a small town, spotlighted Sue Ann’s complex ties with characters like Ben, her high school crush played by Luke Evans, heightening the film’s sense of psychological tension and unpredictability.
Possible Directions for the Sequel
The narrative potential for the next installment is wide open. The original film concluded with Sue Ann wounded and holding the corpse of Ben, her house engulfed in flames, leaving her survival unclear. Classic horror conventions often leave the door open for complicated villains like Sue Ann to make a dramatic comeback, no matter how bleak the ending. The sequel could revisit Sue Ann’s path of vengeance, focus on the survivors of her rampage, or even explore her backstory in a prequel. While the exact story details aren’t confirmed yet, fans are speculating about possible returns for characters played by McKaley Miller, Gianni Paolo, and other notable cast members. With Octavia Spencer ready to step into Ma’s shoes again, expectations for further chills are high.
Octavia Spencer’s Expanding Career
Following her breakout role as Minny Jackson in ‘The Help’—a performance that earned her an Oscar—Octavia Spencer has built a varied career across genres. She’s appeared in both dramatic and comedic roles, from early appearances in films such as Sam Raimi’s ‘Spider-Man’ to critically acclaimed roles in ‘Hidden Figures’ and ‘The Shape of Water.’ Most recently, she played Kimberly in Apple TV+’s holiday comedy ‘Spirited’ and starred in the streaming show ‘Truth Be Told.’ Beyond acting, Spencer is an active producer, supporting emerging filmmakers and working on projects behind the scenes. Her ability to bring both emotional intensity and nuanced conflict to her characters—qualities noted in her performance as Ma—remains central to her enduring appeal.
Blumhouse’s New Slate: Major Announcements
Alongside the ‘Ma’ sequel, Blumhouse used its event to unveil several high-profile projects. Among them is an adaptation of the popular paranormal horror video game ‘Phasmophobia.’ Developed by British indie game studio Kinetic Games and released in 2020, ‘Phasmophobia’ has achieved more than 23 million global sales and gained a strong following within the multiplayer horror genre. The game challenges players, either solo or in teams, to identify supernatural entities haunting different locations. Casting and creative details for the adaptation have yet to be revealed.
In addition, Jason Blum shared that Blumhouse is negotiating to acquire rights to the renowned “Saw” franchise from Twisted Pictures’ Mark Burg and Oren Koules. Lionsgate Films will remain involved, with continued ownership of half the series. This potential acquisition could see the franchise moving back closer to its co-creator, James Wan, who, along with Leigh Whannell, helped launch the saga in 2004. Though an eleventh “Saw” film had been in development and scheduled for release, creative disagreements have led to delays. The hope is that new collaboration will reinvigorate the series and bring it back to horror prominence.
Blum explained the studio’s evolving financial approach to movie production:
“It’s much harder to do what we started doing 15 years ago. So the way that we’ve addressed that is by adding a bit of money to our model; but still, by studio standards, for instance, the budgets of our movies are 60% off the average sticker price, actually probably more, 75% off, the average sticker price.”
—Jason Blum, CEO of Blumhouse Productions
When Will the ‘Ma’ Sequel Arrive?
The sequel is still in its early stages, with no director or confirmed release timetable. While Octavia Spencer’s participation is locked in, and discussions about the creative direction continue, Blumhouse has yet to formalize additional casting, crew, or a launch window. Many are speculating as to whether original director Tate Taylor will return or if the studio will introduce fresh creative leadership. Fans await further news, knowing that once the film’s creative vision is finalized, production details and release dates will likely follow.
Key Films from the Blumhouse Library
Blumhouse has become synonymous with modern horror, producing a range of memorable genre films. Their portfolio includes:
1. ‘Paranormal Activity’ (2007)
2. ‘Insidious’ (2010)
3. ‘Sinister’ (2012)
4. ‘The Purge’ (2013)
5. ‘Creep’ (2014)
6. ‘Unfriended’ (2014)
7. ‘Split’ (2016)
8. ‘Get Out’ (2017)
9. ‘Happy Death Day’ (2017)
10. ‘Upgrade’ (2018)
11. ‘Truth or Dare’ (2018)
12. ‘Halloween’ (2018)
13. ‘Us’ (2019)
14. ‘Ma’ (2019)
15. ‘Fantasy Island’ (2020)
16. ‘The Invisible Man’ (2020)
17. ‘The Hunt’ (2020)
18. ‘Freaky’ (2020)
19. ‘The Black Phone’ (2021)
20. ‘M3GAN’ (2022)
21. ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ (2023)
22. ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ (2023)
23. ‘Night Swim’ (2024)
24. ‘Imaginary’ (2024)
25. ‘Speak No Evil’ (2024)
26. ‘Wolf Man’ (2025)
27. ‘Drop’ (2025)
28. ‘The Woman in the Yard’ (2025)
With
“Octavia Spencer returning for Ma sequel at Blumhouse,”
the studio continues its tradition of reviving compelling characters within its iconic horror universe. The combination of Spencer’s performance, the creative possibilities of Sue Ann Ellington’s story, and the expansion of Blumhouse’s slate signal another intense chapter ahead for horror fans and moviegoers alike. As more details emerge, audiences can anticipate new chills from one of modern horror’s most memorable villains.
