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There aren't strict parameters when it comes to defining a cult classic, though it typically means any movie that was largely overlooked when it was first released that slowly yet surely builds a passionate following. We're not talking about movies that flew under the radar and are retroactively considered to be masterpieces by all audiences; rather, a cult classic finds a niche audience whose specific interests align exactly with what the movie offers. Additionally, the more time that goes by, the longer a movie has to build a larger following, meaning cult classics are often decades old.
Confirming that even relatively new releases can become veritable cult classics, however, Megan Fox starred in one back in 2009. At the time, she was coming off of her work in the Transformers series and was one of the hottest actors on the rise. Instead of just trying to chase projects that would score her the biggest audiences imaginable – given she already secured that with Transformers – she pursued some more ambitious projects, resulting in her collaboration with director Karyn Kusama and writer Diablo Cody.
16 years later, Fox's Jennifer's Body is a certified cult classic, thanks in large part to the movie being more accessible on streaming platforms as well as the movie not falling victim to its own marketing campaign. The growing support for the original movie has resulted in original filmmakers Cody and Kusama confirming that they were attempting to develop a sequel, and Dread Central reports that Fox is set to return. Fox has regularly expressed her interest in a sequel, with this being the most concrete update on that return actually happening.
Dread Central's recent update comes on the heels of reports from Production Weekly that claim the sequel is set to start shooting this fall. It is not yet confirmed whether Fox's costar Amanda Seyfried will also return.
When Jennifer's Body was originally released, it was a disappointment for several factors. While it has a certified following now, the reviews at the time were relatively poor, only sitting at 47% positive reviews on aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes. It also fell flat at the box office, only taking in $31.6 million worldwide. Given that the movie focused on Jennifer (Fox) becoming possessed by a demon, who kills and eats her male classmates, it's both a supernatural horror movie and also a black comedy. The marketing materials, however, leaned into Fox's sex appeal to entice specifically younger male viewers.
Earlier this year, Kusama teased to MovieWeb exactly what we can expect in the sequel when asked if she had read Cody's script:
"I'm hopeful that I can answer truthfully and just say yes, yes, and yes. And I'm really, really excited by it. I'm not usually somebody that could even imagine making something with a '2' on it, but this particular script and re-imagining of the first film is so wild and crazy and smart and funny that I had to start engaging with it. So I'm really, really excited by it."
