Blumhouse and Atomic Monster are teaming up to bring a fresh take on the high-school comedy, with Jacob Chase attached to direct a new film titled Sleepover for the combined horror-production powerhouse. Universal Pictures has already staked out a release date of 2028 for the project, signaling a significant departure from the studios' usual scare-focused slate.
The new film, which is being described as a comedic look at teenage social dynamics, will follow four best friends who, in a bid to climb the popularity ladder, find themselves locked in an all-night scavenger hunt against the school's reigning popular clique. Chase, known for his work on the eerie Come Play and the recent The Monkey, steps behind the camera for what marks his first major studio comedy, a shift in tone from his previous genre-heavy filmography.
This isn't the first time Sleepover has graced the big screen. The title carries a nostalgic weight for many, as it was previously a 2004 family comedy starring a then-teenage Brie Larson, alongside Alexa PenaVega, Mika Boorem, Scout Taylor-Compton, and Kallie Flynn Childress. That earlier incarnation, directed by Joe Nussbaum, leaned heavily into the sweetness and chaos of adolescent friendship, clocking in at a brisk 89 minutes and earning a modest 6.082/10 on TMDb. Its story centered on a group of eighth-graders who accept a dangerous dare from the popular girls, leading to a night of wild adventures across town. Jane Lynch, Sam Huntington, and Sara Paxton rounded out the cast in supporting roles.
What’s surprising about this new project is the pairing of Chase with the producers behind M3GAN, The Black Phone, and the Insidious franchise. Jason Blum’s Blumhouse and James Wan’s Atomic Monster merged operations in early 2024, creating a formidable force in the horror landscape. Their joint venture has primarily been a factory for low-to-mid-budget frights, but the announcement of Sleepover suggests the duo is willing to flex their muscles outside of pure terror. Whether this new version will retain the specific beats of the original - like the iconic scene involving a stolen car or the competitive eating contest - remains under wraps, but the logline confirms the core premise remains intact.
Chase’s rise to this point has been gradual but notable. He first gained attention with the 2019 short film Larry, which he later expanded into the feature Come Play, a 2020 horror film about a lonely boy menaced by a creature that communicates through a smartphone. That movie, produced by Amblin Partners, earned solid reviews for its effective use of practical effects and its emotional core. More recently, he took over directing duties from Osgood Perkins on The Monkey, a Stephen King adaptation that has been generating buzz for its blend of gore and dark humor. His ability to balance genuine dread with moments of levity likely caught the attention of Blum and Wan, making the Sleepover assignment a logical - if unexpected - fit.
The 2028 release date is a long lead time, suggesting the project is still in its infancy, likely with a script being written and casting yet to begin. It also leaves room for the film to potentially shift if production schedules change, though the early announcement gives the studios ample time to build a marketing campaign. For fans of the 2004 film, the question is whether this will be a direct remake, a re-imagining, or a sequel set in the same universe. The vague logline provided doesn’t clarify whether any original characters will return, and no cast has been announced, leaving the door open for a fresh ensemble of young actors.
Given the producers' track record, one can expect a modest budget, a focus on character-driven humor, and perhaps a slightly edgier tone than the family-friendly 2004 version. Blum has often spoken about the importance of giving directors creative freedom with tight budgets, and Chase seems eager to expand his range. The original Sleepover was a modest box office performer, but its legacy has endured through home video and streaming, particularly among audiences who grew up with it. Universal’s decision to revive the title suggests they believe there’s a built-in audience ready to revisit the concept with a modern sensibility.
For now, details are scarce. The only certainty is the talent behind the camera and the date on the calendar. Chase will have the opportunity to put his own stamp on a story that many have fond memories of, even if it takes a few years to come to fruition. The project also represents a test for the Blumhouse-Atomic Monster partnership, proving whether their particular brand of efficient, high-concept filmmaking can translate successfully to the comedy genre. With a 2028 target, there’s no rush, but the announcement alone has already sparked curiosity about what a horror-friendly production company will do with a sleepover, a scavenger hunt, and a group of kids just trying to fit in.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
