The Housemaid's Phenomenal Box Office Success
Since its Christmas release, The Housemaid has emerged as an undeniable box office sensation, captivating audiences worldwide. This erotic thriller, starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, has already amassed nearly $300 million in global revenue. Industry analysts are now projecting that the film could surpass the $400 million mark by the conclusion of its theatrical run.
A Remarkable Return on Investment
With a modest production budget of just $35 million, The Housemaid stands out as one of the most profitable cinematic hits in recent memory. The film has achieved the distinction of becoming the highest-grossing project in the careers of both lead actress Sydney Sweeney and director Paul Feig. Its financial performance underscores a significant return on investment, highlighting the commercial viability of well-executed genre films.
Sequel Development and Production Timeline
A follow-up film, titled The Housemaid's Secret, is already in active development. According to reports from Variety, the production team intends to commence filming this year, with the ambitious goal of rushing the completed project into theatres by 2027. Director Paul Feig is confirmed to return to helm the sequel, ensuring continuity in creative vision.
Cast Returns and New Developments
Sydney Sweeney will reprise her role as Millie Calloway, the central character with a troubled past. While Amanda Seyfried's character, Nina Winchester, does not feature prominently in the second book of the source material, both the actress and director Feig have indicated that Nina will likely make a cameo appearance in the sequel. Additionally, Michele Morrone's character Enzo, the brooding landscaper from the first film, is set to have an expanded role in The Housemaid's Secret.
Source Material and Script Progress
Penning the screenplay for the sequel is expected to be a relatively straightforward process, as the films are adapted from the best-selling book series by author Freida McFadden. In fact, screenwriter Rebecca Sonnenshine had reportedly already completed the script for The Housemaid's Secret even as the first film was achieving its box office breakthrough. The source novel itself became a New York Times bestseller upon release, and the entire Housemaid series has sold over 12 million copies worldwide.
Plot Details for the Upcoming Sequel
The sequel is set several years after the events of the first film. It follows Millie Calloway as she accepts a new position cleaning for the immensely wealthy Garrick couple in their expansive New York penthouse. Mirroring the suspense of the original, Millie uncovers a dark and twisted secret concerning Mrs. Garrick, who mysteriously confines herself to a guest bedroom during Millie's cleaning visits. Audiences can anticipate another shocking twist, unless they are already familiar with the books.
Future Franchise Potential and Studio Confidence
Lionsgate, which holds the rights to the first three books in McFadden's series, has expressed strong confidence in the franchise's future. Should The Housemaid's Secret perform well commercially, a third film adaptation of The Housemaid is Watching is expected to receive the green light. The studio released a statement praising the audience response, noting the "unique and truly theatrical experience" of the first film and their excitement to bring the next chapter to the screen.
Continued Box Office Dominance
Despite having been in theatres for approximately a month, The Housemaid recently reclaimed the number one spot at the UK and Ireland box office. It has also achieved a significant milestone by crossing $20 million at the Australian box office, proving its status as a bona fide hit with audiences both domestically and internationally. Director Paul Feig reflected on the film's success, remarking on the consistent ability of female-led stories to draw crowds to cinemas, drawing parallels to his past hits like Bridesmaids and Spy.
