One of the most unexpected new franchises is, without a doubt, the “X” film series from writer-director Ti West. Beginning with “X” and continuing with “Pearl” less than a year later, the filmmaker wowed audiences with his fresh take on the horror genre. Now, everyone is eagerly attempting his trilogy capper, “MaXXXine,” which arrives in July. Many have just assumed this will be the end of the low budget franchise, but according to the filmmaker, there might be at least one more story to tell.
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Speaking to EW, filmmaker Ti West talked about an idea he has to continue the “X” franchise past the upcoming “MaXXXine.” But he doesn’t think it’ll be what people expect. For those who haven’t seen the films, “X” kicked things off with a story of a guerilla film crew trying to shoot a low-budget porn film on a farm. Things are going great until someone begins brutally killing the crew. The next film, “Pearl,” serves as a prequel showing the story of a young girl with dreams of hitting it big in Hollywood. “MaXXXine” apparently picks up where “X” left off but takes place in the ‘80s following the title character as she attempts to transition from porn to mainstream work, while the Night Stalker begins killing people close to her.
“I do have one idea that plays into these movies that could maybe happen,” West teased. “I don’t know if it’ll be next. It might be. We’ll see.”
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He added, “I’ll say that, if there’s more to be done in this ‘X’ franchise, it’s certainly not what people are expecting it to be. It’s not just picking up again a few years later and whatever. It’s different in the way that ‘Pearl’ was an unexpected departure. It’s another unexpected departure.”
Comparing the idea he has for a fourth film to “Pearl” means that audiences truly can’t predict what he has in store, if it gets made. “Pearl” was seen as one of the best films of the year when it was released in 2022. That film wowed audiences and critics with its incredibly stylish and fresh story. But it also surprised everyone by being very tonally different than “X.”
Regardless, it does seem as if West isn’t sure if the “X” franchise will actually continue past “MaXXXine,” but you have to assume the studio will be pushing for it if the new film is as well received as the previous two. In today’s Hollywood, you don’t just leave successful franchises on the shelf to collect dust.
“MaXXXine” is set to arrive in theaters on July 5.