Ethan Hawke is set to reprise his role as the chilling killer The Grabber in The Black Phone 2, with production now officially underway, as announced by director Scott Derrickson on social media. Universal and Blumhouse will release the highly anticipated sequel in theaters on October 17, 2025.

Alongside Hawke, The Black Phone 2 will bring back key cast members from the first film, including Mason Thames (How to Train Your Dragon), Madeleine McGraw (Toy Story 4), Jeremy Davies (Justified), and Miguel Mora (The Black Phone). New to the cast is Demián Bichir (The Nun), joining the terrifying continuation of the story.

Scott Derrickson, who directed the first film, returns to helm the sequel, with his frequent collaborator C. Robert Cargill co-writing and producing. The original Black Phone was based on Joe Hill’s short story and proved to be a box office hit, grossing $161 million worldwide.

The plot of The Black Phone 2 is being kept under wraps, but Derrickson has teased that Joe Hill himself pitched a compelling idea for the sequel. In a 2022 interview with ComicBook.com, Derrickson shared his excitement: “Joe Hill pitched me a wonderful idea for a sequel to Black Phone that, if this movie does well, I’m gonna do it. He’s got a great idea, I really liked it… that’s how you do a sequel to Black Phone.”

In the original film, Finney (Mason Thames), a shy but resourceful 13-year-old, is kidnapped by The Grabber (Hawke) and locked in a soundproof basement. When a disconnected phone on the wall starts ringing, Finney begins hearing the voices of the killer’s previous victims, who are determined to help him escape. The film’s chilling atmosphere and gripping performances, including those from Hawke and a standout cast of young actors, contributed to its success.

Derrickson and Cargill produced The Black Phone under their banner, Crooked Highway, in partnership with Universal and Blumhouse.

Fans are eager to see how Derrickson and Hill expand the haunting world of The Black Phone in the sequel, with further details about the story expected to surface closer to the release date.