Universal Pulled the ‘M3GAN’ Spinoff From Its Calendar – Here’s Why

Universal Pictures has removed the sci-fi thriller Soulm8te from its January 9 release date, sources tell us. The film, directed by Kate Dolan, was originally planned as part of the M3GAN universe, but the studio is now looking for a new release plan.

The move follows the underperformance of M3GAN 2.0. While the first M3GAN in 2022 was a major hit, earning $180 million worldwide and nearly $80 million in profit, its sequel earned only $39 million globally despite a higher budget. The mixed results likely influenced Universal’s decision to pause the spinoff, according to Deadline.

Scheduling conflicts also played a role. Paramount shifted its horror movie Primate to the same weekend, and studios generally avoid releasing competing horror films at the same time.

Soulm8te tells the story of a man who acquires an AI android to cope with the loss of his wife. In trying to create a sentient partner, he accidentally turns the harmless lovebot into a dangerous threat. The film stars Claudia Doumit, Lily Sullivan, Isabelle Bonfrer, Emma Ramos, and Sydney Blackburn, and is inspired by classic 1990s erotic thrillers.

Kate Dolan, known for the 2021 indie horror You Are Not My Mother, co-wrote the screenplay with Rafael Jordan. The story was developed by James Wan, Ingrid Bisu, and Jordan. The film is produced by James Wan’s Atomic Monster and Jason Blum’s Blumhouse, with executive producers including Michael Clear, Judson Scott, and Bisu.

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