It seems Hollywood is interested in finding another Reddit story or post to turn into a blockbuster after 20-year-old Kane “Pixels” Parsons’ Backrooms film racked up over $240 million at the global box office on a tiny budget.
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, at least one Hollywood agency has assistants reportedly combing through Reddit and its various subreddits looking for inspiration for the next Backrooms-like mega hit. And one agency veteran at the company told the outlet that they have already identified “a bunch” of subreddits and short stories that they reckon could be compelling films. I suspect others are doing the same.
Backrooms and its massive success at the box office has seemingly convinced parts of Hollywood that the next big filmmaker and franchise might not be buried in a comic book or video game, but instead might be lingering in some Reddit or YouTube series by a young creator.
As pointed out by THR, a story first posted on the NoSleep subreddit is being turned into a feature film produced by and starring Sydney Sweeney. If that film, currently titled I Pretended to Be a Missing Girl, happens and ends up being as popular as Backrooms at the box office, I suspect a flood of movies ripped from Reddit and YouTube. This could lead to an influx of young talent with fresh ideas and help Hollywood reconnect with younger viewers who have started tuning out big movies released in theaters.
As for Backrooms, Parsons is already talking about a sequel, something A24 is likely very interested in making ASAP.