Weapons’ Villain Aunt Gladys Is Getting a Prequel — Director Says He Already Has the Story

Weapons, the 2025 horror film about 17 children who walked out of their homes at 2:17 a.m. and never returned, is the subject of prequel talks focused on the film’s villain, Aunt Gladys. Director Zack Cregger has confirmed conversations with Warner Bros. about an origin story for the character played by Amy Madigan.

1. What we know about Weapons and its box office
2. Prequel talks and official confirmation
3. Aunt Gladys backstory and previous comments
4. Timing and the director’s next projects

What we know about Weapons and its box office

The film centers on the unexplained disappearance of 17 children at 2:17 a.m.. It opened wide and earned $42.5 million in its opening weekend, according to box office reports. The film’s mystery hinges on the character Aunt Gladys, who is central to the story’s unanswered questions.

Prequel talks and official confirmation

Earlier reports indicated Warner Bros. Discovery had asked Cregger for some type of follow-up to Weapons. Specifically, The Hollywood Reporter reported that a prequel was being discussed.

Then, in an interview with Fangoria, Cregger confirmed the talks. He said: “It is real, and I’ve been talking to Warner Bros. about it,” and added, “There’s a story and I’m pretty excited about it. It’s not bullshit. I was ready. I had it kind of in my pocket before the movie came out.”

Aunt Gladys backstory and previous comments

Previously, Cregger told Vanity Fair that he had given Amy Madigan two possible backstories for Aunt Gladys and let her choose without revealing which one he preferred. The Vanity Fair piece described that approach to the character’s history.

Timing and the director’s next projects

For now, Cregger is attached to direct a new Resident Evil movie that is slated for 2026. Thus, while the prequel conversations are confirmed, production timing for an Aunt Gladys origin film has not been announced.