Looks like the world isn't quite ready to say goodbye to its favorite anarchy-fantasy horror series. The Purge, which many people thought had finally reached the end of its particularly bloody line, is gearing up to produce a sixth film. Not only that, but it will center on a certain fan-favorite (or hated, depending on who's asked) character making his triumphant return to the franchise. For a genre where a lot of people die, horror sure does love to revel in nostalgia.
Frank Grillo, who played Leo Barnes (a.k.a. The Sergeant) in The Purge: Anarchy and The Purge: Election Year, announced the news himself. During an interview, he excitedly revealed that not only has a 6th Purge movie been confirmed, but it will be based on his own returning character. This is happily contrary to the previous notion that The Forever Purge, released in July 2021, would be the final film in the Universal franchise. Considering how popular and recognizable The Purge has become, it's hardly surprising.
"Committed! We committed to doing that – Purge 6 with [James DeMonaco] directing," Grillo enthusiastically announced while on The Playlist Podcast. "It's based on the Leo Barnes character. I'm excited. He's going to send me the script. He just finished it. So, yeah, I'm really psyched about that. I love doing the Purge movies… I'm psyched, they called me and said James wanted to direct one more and I'm like, 'Don't even tell me. I'm in.'" This goes in line with writer James DeMonaco's remarks in July regarding his idea to continue the Purge franchise with a movie focused on Grillo's character. But the project has only now just been confirmed to be moving forward.
DeMonaco's idea for The Purge 6 was to have Leo Barnes "called back into action" after going off to do his own thing following 2016's The Purge: Election Year. The film ended with Barnes being appointed as Director of the Secret Service when Elizabeth Mitchell's Senator Charlie Roan wins the presidential election. While she promises to end The Purge as her top priority, she's faced with violent opposition. So perhaps that will play into why Barnes disappeared between films.
The Purge has always somehow struck a balance between being a satisfyingly bloody franchise and one that has something to say about society. Granted, not every film has a particularly deep thought behind its premise, and not every entry really scratches that itch for cathartic violence. While the first movie seemed to be particularly set in the former idea, subsequent entries often elected to tell stories and cautionary tales. The formerly final film in the series, The Forever Purge, even made a point to set the record straight on its current event commentary. So it wouldn't be surprising to see that trend continue.
Or maybe The Purge 6 will bring things back to the world of the first film, where audiences just get to watch a bunch of rich people crying and stabbing. Odds are it'll be a bit deeper than that, considering the focus on Barnes. But based on what audiences have loved about the series, there's always the chance that things will call back to a simpler time.
The Purge 6 is currently in development.
Source: The Playlist Podcast