At the glittering premiere of his latest cinematic offering, M3GAN 2.0, director Gerard Johnstone captivated audiences with his intriguing analogy, blurring the lines between human teenagers and literal monsters when discussing the daunting aspects of parenting. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter on the movie's striking black and pink carpet in New York, he mused, "Raising kids is akin to dealing with a creature that relentlessly mutates and evolves. Just when you believe you've cracked the code, it transforms into something entirely new."
The sequel to the 2023 horror smash hit M3GAN delves into the chilling parallels between navigating the treacherous waters of teenage parenthood and controlling a sentient, killer AI robot—amplified, as executive producer Jason Blum pointed out, "like on steroids." Executive Producer Adam Hendricks teased, "M3GAN 2.0 is a wild card. She's unpredictable, and while she's Gemma's creation, shaping her future is a journey Gemma navigates mostly in fear and trepidation."
James Wan, another executive producer, added a chilling perspective: "Teen M3GAN is terrifying because she blends seamlessly into society. She's grown, exuding sass and teenage complexities. As we all know, teenagers can be daunting; imagine that in an AI potentially capable of murder—taking the恐惧 to a whole new level."
Set to hit theaters on June 27th, the sequel picks up a couple of years after the original film's harrowing events. Gemma (played by Allison Williams) and her niece Cady (Violet McGraw) are compelled to reintroduce M3GAN into the world when they encounter a newer, deadlier, and more human-like robot, crafted and weaponized by the military. Williams hinted, "She's taller, more skilled, powerful, and attitude-laden. I have some control, but her ego has skyrocketed. Raising a teenage robot is as challenging as raising a human teenager. This film explores parenthood and AI regulation, wrapped in an exhilarating, fun package."
Costume designer Jeriana San Juan elaborated on M3GAN's evolution, stating, "She embodies a retro future people crave. Mentally and spiritually evolved, we gave her a sassier, more mature look, remixing elements from her original appearance." Jenna Davis, the voice behind M3GAN, revealed that the robot's voice has matured too, balancing her iconic traits with a new edge. "We played with tones, maturing her slightly, while preserving what fans adored—her campiness, sass, and fun," she shared.
Hendricks teased that M3GAN's recalibrated body, style, and voice would manifest in her dance and singing, promising, "We didn't want to repeat the same tricks. Expect something special; she's a robot, after all. She'll bring a new dance, perhaps fueled by her robotic essence." EP Judson Scott emphasized that while M3GAN has undergone significant changes, her core remains unchanged. "She's the same M3GAN you love, just bigger, stronger, faster. We've retained her tone from the first film, embedding her in a fresh narrative and scenarios."
In this new chapter, M3GAN faces off against Amelia, a new AI robot serving as the sequel's main antagonist. Johnstone explained, "Amelia serves as a foil, making M3GAN appear benevolent. Amelia, trained by the military, lacks M3GAN's code, reflecting a dark mirror. Their differences extend to appearance and fighting style." Ivanna Sakhno, who portrays Amelia, noted the extensive fight sequences and the character's uncanny human-like appearance, enhancing the creep factor.
Scott highlighted that with Amelia stepping into the villain's shoes, M3GAN's role shifts, marking a natural progression. "We were afraid of M3GAN before; now, we need her to save us. She's transcended the horror genre, becoming a character that can fit into various genres, keeping the franchise fresh." Hendricks echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to take risks and create an original sequel.
Blum rationalized the sequel's decision, citing M3GAN's cultural impact and positive word of mouth. Williams, enthusiastic about the franchise's future, emphasized her passion for the project, stating, "I'm here for the ride. Producing these movies is a blend of pleasure, challenge, and passion. My soul's doubly invested in this sequel. It's a group art project fueled by our collective enthusiasm."
