The waters of the Seine are set to become treacherous once again. After a massive global reception in 2024, Netflix has officially confirmed that the French action-horror hit Under Paris is returning for a sequel, bringing the terror of mutated sharks back to the cinematic forefront.
The original film defied expectations, becoming one of the most-viewed titles of 2024 and establishing itself as the second most popular non-English language film on the streaming platform. This success has prompted Netflix to venture into a territory it rarely explores with its original French cinema: the creation of a franchise.
While the streaming giant has historically been hesitant to develop sequels for its original movies, Under Paris 2 represents a strategic shift. The only notable exception to this rule previously was the Lost Bullet trilogy starring Alban Lenoir, but the sheer scale of the shark movie’s viewership has made a follow-up inevitable.
A Phenomenal Surge in Viewership
The decision to greenlight a sequel was driven by staggering data. Since its initial release, Under Paris has garnered more than 102 million views, a figure that surprised many in the industry. According to reporting from Variety, the film’s success was particularly unexpected given that several French studios and financiers had initially turned down the project.
This global appetite for “creature feature” cinema, combined with the unique setting of the French capital, has turned the film into a cornerstone of Netflix’s non-English content strategy. By leveraging the high viewership numbers, the platform is now positioning the sequel to build on the momentum of its predecessor’s viral success.
New Leadership: Alexandre Aja Takes the Helm
In a significant creative shift, the sequel will see a change in the director’s chair. Alexandre Aja, the acclaimed filmmaker known for Piranha 3D, is officially taking over the reigns from Xavier Gens, who wrote and directed the first installment.
Aja brings a wealth of experience in the horror and thriller genres, making him a natural fit for a story centered on aquatic predators. Addressing his decision to join the project, Aja stated: “I love Paris and I always wanted to make a shark movie, so it was an obvious yes when the opportunity came to take the story even deeper.”
Despite the change in leadership, the original vision of the series remains intact. Xavier Gens will stay involved in the production, transitioning into roles as a co-writer and associate producer to ensure continuity between the two films.
Production Status and Release Window
Production for Under Paris 2 is already underway, with filming taking place in the south of France. This change in location suggests a potential expansion of the story’s scope beyond the immediate confines of the Parisian river system.
For fans eager to see the return of the mutated sharks, the wait will be substantial. While an exact calendar date has not been finalized, Netflix France has suggested a release window of sometime in 2027 via an official poster. This timeline allows for the extensive visual effects work required to bring the creature’s aquatic carnage to life with high fidelity.
The Evolution of Netflix’s French Content Strategy
The confirmation of Under Paris 2 signals a broader trend in how Netflix manages its international originals. For years, the company focused on “one-and-done” prestige films in foreign markets. However, the success of Under Paris proves that there is a massive global market for genre-driven, non-English franchises.
By investing in a sequel, Netflix is not just capitalizing on a single hit but is testing the viability of “franchising” its international hits. If Under Paris 2 replicates the viewership of the first film, it could open the door for more sequels and spin-offs across various non-English language productions.
As production continues in the south of France, the industry will be watching closely to see how Aja evolves the horror elements of the story. For now, viewers can revisit the original disaster on Netflix to prepare for the inevitable return of the depths.
The next major checkpoint for fans will be the release of an official teaser trailer, which is expected to provide the first glimpse of the sequel’s plot and updated cast. We will provide updates as Netflix drops official production milestones.
What are your expectations for the sequel? Do you think the change in directors will bring a fresh perspective to the horror? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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