The evolution of technology has seen artificial intelligence (AI) advancements in fictional works become a reality. In fact, AI is the latest buzzword, spurred by its thematic focus in this year’s high-profile movies like Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part 1 and The Creator, and real-world concerns involving its use in content creation.
M3GAN lends a horror touch to the topic, with a story around an AI-developed doll showing that technology can be a double-edged sword. As development on the sequel, titled M3GAN 2.0, continues, producer James Wan has teased what’s to come for the next chapter.
“It’s early yet, but M3GAN is coming back in a big way. The first film came just at the right time [among raising concerns about AI], and we’re definitely leaning into that on the next one. We’re exploring the AI universe even further,” said the filmmaker in an interview with Empire Magazine.
Not much else is known about the follow-up, but it will drop sometime in 2025. The first movie proved to be a surprise box office hit, raking in US$181 million internationally against a US$12 million budget. It starred Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Ronny Chieng, Brian Jordan Alvarez, Jen Van Epps, Lori Dungey, and Stephane Garneau-Monten. The former two are expected to return to M3GAN 2.0, which will be helmed by original director Gerard Johnstone.
The synopsis for M3GAN reads:
“M3GAN is a marvel of artificial intelligence, a lifelike doll that’s programmed to be a child’s greatest companion and a parent’s greatest ally. Designed by Gemma (Williams), a brilliant roboticist, M3GAN can listen, watch and learn as it plays the role of friend and teacher, playmate and protector. When Gemma becomes the unexpected caretaker of her 8-year-old niece, she decides to give the girl an M3GAN prototype, a decision that leads to unimaginable consequences.“
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
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