Yahoo News Bird Box Barcelona isn't Bird Box 2 – it's a spin-off movie
Bird Box 2 is apparently in the works, but we've returning to the world in the new Netflix movie Bird Box Barcelona.
The announcement of that movie has led to some confusion from Bird Box fans that it's actually the long-awaited sequel. However, that's not the case as it's a spin-off movie set at the same time as the hit first movie, rather than a continuation.
But given that Bird Box remains one of the most-watched Netflix movies ever, surely we'll get a direct sequel eventually. Josh Malerman – who wrote the novel that the first movie was based on – said a sequel was in development in July 2020.
Since then though, silence. So is Bird Box 2 happening and how does Bird Box Barcelona connect to it? Here's everything you need to know.
Bird Box Barcelona explained: Is it Bird Box 2?
As mentioned above, Bird Box Barcelona – which is out now on Netflix – is not a direct sequel to the first movie and is instead a spin-off movie.
The new movie is set in Barcelona (unsurprisingly) and takes place in the same timeline as the first movie. Instead of the US, we see how the outbreak affected Spain and follow a father and daughter as they attempt to survive in the new landscape.
Sandra Bullock does not appear in the spin-off movie, and there is no suggestion that the new movie will show events that happened after the end of the first movie.
If it's a hit, it was reported by Deadline in March 2021 that Bird Box Barcelona might just be the first of several local-language spin-off movies set in the same universe.
Bird Box 2 potential release date: When could we expect Bird Box 2?
We still don't officially know that Bird Box 2 is happening at Netflix, so it's possible we're in for a long wait.
As mentioned above, Josh Malerman said that a sequel was in development in July 2020, but that's a long time ago. It's potentially a sign that whatever plans Netflix had for the sequel have pivoted to the spin-off movies.
Malerman released a sequel novel called Malorie in July 2020 which was set two years after the events of the first book. It's possible that if a sequel happens, it could be a direct adaptation of this novel, but we'll have to wait and see if it happens first.
Bird Box 2 plot: How does Bird Box ending set up a sequel?
If you're after a more in-depth analysis of Bird Box and its mysteries, we've got one for you right here, but we're more concerned here with its actual ending.
The movie ends with Malorie and her two children (well, one's hers and one's basically adopted) making it to Rick's sanctuary to discover it's a school for the blind. It's protected by birds that can sense when the force is nearby and can warn all the sighted people at the school.
So, if it wanted to, a sequel could well go the tried-and-trusted route of the sanctuary turning out to not be as safe as Malorie thought. Equally, some terrible event could hit and force Malorie and the remaining survivors to go out into the world again.
Neither idea particularly inspires us, but it's a direction any potential sequel could take.
Related: Netflix's Bird Box explained
One of the most common complaints (rightly or wrongly) about Bird Box is that we're not really offered much of an explanation about the force itself.
Its origins could be explored in a standalone sequel that takes us right back to the beginning of the outbreak, or the sequel could see Malorie investigate the creatures as she tries to continue keeping her children safe.
The first book ended in a slightly different way to the movie, so it would take a little bit of adjusting to directly adapt Malerman's sequel novel, but it's easily achievable.
Bird Box 2 cast: Who could come back in Bird Box 2?
There were a lot of deaths in Bird Box, which limits the number of stars who could reprise their roles.
A direct sequel would have to bring back Sandra Bullock as Malorie, alongside Pruitt Taylor Vince as the sanctuary's leader Rick and — after her surprise return — Parminder Nagra as Dr Lapham.
Vivien Lyra Blair and Julian Edwards played Girl and Boy, now known as Olympia and Tom, but if there's any form of a time jump in the sequel, those roles could be recast.
If Netflix wanted to bring back Trevante Rhodes as Tom, the only option would be to have flashbacks of the five years Malorie and Tom spent together, before he sacrificed himself to save Malorie and the two children.
There could also be potential returns for Machine Gun Kelly and Rosa Salazar as Felix and Lucy, respectively, as the two were last seen leaving the safe house in the past timeline and we don't know if they survived.
Director Susanne Bier revealed that she believes the pair were heading to the grocery store, but won't say anything else.
"I think that that's where they wanna go, but I actually think it's quite exciting that we don't know exactly where they went," she explained.
Bird Box 2 trailer: Any Bird Box 2 footage yet?
Nothing to see here, much like Malorie when she's out in the open, as Bird Box 2 hasn't been confirmed.
You can watch the trailer for spin-off movie Bird Box Barcelona below though:
Bird Box is available to watch on Netflix, while Bird Box Barcelona is released on Netflix on July 14.
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