Throughout an interview with ScreenRant, Michael Babcock, the sound designer, supervising sound editor, and re-recording mixer of KPop Demon Hunters, stated he would not suppose they “necessarily need The Empire Strikes Back for KPop 2,” saying that the following film would possibly “go warmer” as a substitute of what number of film sequels are a lot darker than their predecessors.
KPop Demon Hunters co-directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans are anticipated to return for the follow-up, with Netflix and Sony at the moment negotiating the phrases of this sequel and doubtlessly past. Babcock, like everybody else, is “curious to see what they come up with,” however “can say” that they’re “not painting by the numbers” following their “unique” first film.
Try Babcock’s full feedback beneath:
Michael Babcock: I am curious to see what they provide you with. Maggie and Chris got here up with one thing that actually is a novel story and you’ll go quite a lot of locations with it. I am undecided we essentially want The Empire Strikes Again for KPop 2. Like, does it should get darker?
What was actually distinctive about them as storytellers is that, in a method, it is a lot simpler to go darker and colder. It is extra intelligent while you go hotter. So I’m wondering if there is a method of getting extra immersed into this world.
One thing that appears to essentially resonate with folks moreover the music and the concord and the story is the interplay with followers. I’m wondering if they will increase their world by making one thing [where] the followers are both requesting one thing or… I assume on this one the followers are in jeopardy, however there’s obtained to be one thing intelligent; that’s such a novel angle, and, on paper, it is wonderful that it labored.
However, sonically, something with crowds and chanting and all that type of stuff is enjoyable, and it is also an emotional factor too.
ScreenRant: No, I like that. And it goes to what you stated earlier about it being more durable to make one thing cute than scary, which I believe, such as you’re saying, is type of the facility of this.
Michael Babcock: They’ve the facility to do one thing surprising, which is actually what this was. And the truth that they’re being rewarded for it, I believe — not that they did not make this with confidence — provides them confidence to be like, “Hey, this would be really interesting to explore.”
I can say [that] Chris and Maggie specifically [are] not portray by the numbers. They need to be distinctive.
Rumi wanting over her shoulder at one thing in rising horror whereas derpy cat smiles behind her in KPop Demon Hunters
Netflix / Courtesy Everett Assortment
KPop Demon Hunters 2 may additional examine a storyline involving Huntr/x’s followers, although going too far down this path might disrupt the resonant method the primary film portrays fan tradition. Alternatively, a sequel that’s “warmer” is formidable and could possibly be an ideal match for this franchise.
Sequels naturally get darker as a result of they’re challenged to boost the stakes. KPop Demon Hunters already manages to strike an ideal stability between its goofy and lighthearted tone and its very critical themes, so going additional in a single course whereas remaining true to the preliminary story and having it work could be extremely spectacular.
Babcock’s information of what story concepts the administrators take into consideration is restricted, however together with his insider standing, he assures followers that the franchise will proceed to be considered one of a form. On the very least, Kang and Appelhans aren’t going to be counting on overdone film sequel conventions.
KPop Demon Hunters HUNTR/X
Like Babcock, quite a lot of followers most likely have loads of religion within the creators of KPop Demon Hunters to ship a sequel simply nearly as good as the unique. Kang had been engaged on the thought for years earlier than it was lastly greenlit, and it arguably reveals within the first film that she already has broader backstories and world-building in thoughts that did not match into this installment.
As the primary KPop Demon Hunters was so impressed, the second film must be the identical, when the story is primed for an natural continuation. And this key inventive’s feedback recommend that the crew can be excited to return, bringing their skills again to make this outing one other worldwide sensation.
