‘Orphan 3’: Lionsgate Officially Greenlights Third Film in the Franchise

The twisted tale of Esther is far from over. Lionsgate has officially announced the development of Orphan 3, the latest installment in the cult horror franchise. Isabelle Fuhrman will reprise her iconic role as the enigmatic Esther, following her return in the 2022 prequel Orphan: First Kill.

According to Variety, the third film in the Orphan series is now greenlit, with Fuhrman returning alongside Orphan: First Kill writer David Coggeshall (The Family Plan) and director William Brent Bell, known for the The Boy franchise. While plot details remain under wraps, fans can expect another chilling chapter in the saga of the sinister orphan.

Lionsgate is officially launching the project at this week’s American Film Market. Dark Castle Entertainment, the production company behind the Orphan films, will once again be handling production duties.

Norman Golightly, Co-CEO of Dark Castle Entertainment, expressed excitement for the next chapter, stating, “Dark Castle is excited to announce another terrifying installment in the Orphan saga. With the success of the first two films and an exciting new storyline, we’re confident Orphan 3 will be a must-see for both existing fans and newcomers alike.”

The original Orphan (2009) introduced audiences to Esther, a young girl adopted by a couple who quickly realize she’s not as innocent as she appears. It’s later revealed that Esther is actually a 33-year-old woman posing as a child. In the 2022 prequel, Orphan: First Kill, Esther escapes an Estonian psychiatric facility and impersonates the missing daughter of a wealthy family, leading to even more disturbing twists.

In First Kill, Fuhrman returned to play Esther, thanks to clever production techniques that allowed her to reprise the role more than a decade after the original film’s release. For a deeper dive into how this was achieved, check out our interview with makeup effects artist Doug Morrow.

Stay tuned for more updates as Orphan 3 continues to take shape.