The breakout character Aunt Gladys' story continues with a highly anticipated prequel movie, with Zach Shields (known for *Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire*) set to co-write the screenplay alongside filmmaker Zach Cregger.
The film, titled *Gladys*, is a collaboration between New Line and Warner Bros. and has been in development for several months after the original horror movie's impressive box office performance and critical acclaim.
*Weapons*, the preceding film, grossed an impressive $270 million globally and earned Amy Madigan the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as the devilishly deranged character. (Madigan also won a SAG-AFTRA Actor Award and the Critics Choice Award for Supporting Actress and was nominated for a Golden Globe, among other honors.)
At the Oscars, Madigan expressed her enthusiasm about reprising her role in the prequel, acknowledging the unpredictability of the film industry.
“We know how long stuff takes,” she told the press. “We know what this business is like, and nothing's real until it is, and timing and all those things. But if it worked out, that would be great, because I trust Zach [Cregger], and he's got a lot of wacky ideas.”
The storyline for the *Gladys* prequel remains undisclosed, though any backstory explaining how Gladys transformed into a parasitic witch who kidnaps children and adopts a quirky, “deranged grandma” appearance with ginger curls and glasses would be well-received.
(Gladys' unique look was one of the top Halloween costumes of 2025.)
Madigan's Oscar win is also significant as it reflects the growing recognition of the horror genre within the industry, which she noted has often been underestimated, likening it to "the little kids at Thanksgiving."
However, the data demonstrates that horror movies continue to draw audiences. New Line surpassed $1 billion at the global box office in 2025 from horror titles alone, with the company behind three billion-dollar franchises: *The Conjuring* universe ($2.8 billion), the *It* movies ($1.2 billion), and the *Final Destination* franchise ($1 billion).
Cregger, whose *Resident Evil* movie is set for release this September, and Vertigo Entertainment's Roy Lee and Miri Yoon are returning as producers for the new film.
Shields' involvement continues his ongoing partnership with Warner Bros., following his work on multiple Godzilla and Kong projects.
He most recently contributed to WB and Legendary's *Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire*, served as a consulting producer on the Apple TV series *Monarch: Legacy of Monsters*, and previously co-wrote *Godzilla vs. Kong* and *Godzilla: King of the Monsters*, as well as Universal's *Krampus* with Michael Dougherty. In television, Shields was a co-executive producer on *Lady in the Lake*, starring Natalie Portman, for Apple.
Cregger is represented by CAA, Artists First, and Karl Austen and Michael Auerbach.
Shields is represented by Range Media Partners and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof and Fishman.
Deadline first reported Shields' hiring.
