'Final Destination' taps in new director for the franchise

Belgian filmmaker Michiel Blanchart is set to direct the next installment of the Final Destination franchise, following the success of Final Destination: Bloodlines.

The movie, which opened at number one globally, achieved the best opening weekend in the six-film series, grossing over $314.6 million worldwide.

Blanchart, who will make his English-language debut with the feature, rose to the top of the list after a brief but intense search.

Lori Evans Taylor, who co-wrote Bloodlines with Gary Busick, is penning the new script, while Craig Perry and Sheila Hanahan Taylor return as producers, alongside Jon Watts, Dianne McGunigle, and Toby Emmerich.

The Final Destination franchise has earned over $1 billion worldwide, making it New Line's third-biggest horror franchise.

Blanchart's short film, You're Dead, Hélène, was shortlisted for the best live-action short film category at the 2023 Oscars, and his feature debut, Night Call, swept the Belgian Academy Awards, winning 10 out of 11 nominations.