M3GAN 2.0may have only just arrived in theaters, but producer James Wan has revealed how the newSOULM8TEspinoff movie will fit within the burgeoning franchise. First announced in January 2024, the upcoming spinoff has been touted asa more mature take on the AI world first established in 2022’s originalM3GAN.
Written and directed by Kate Dolan,SOULM8TE’splotwill follow agrieving husband who attempts to cope with the death of his wife by purchasing an AI companion. Featuring a cast that includes Claudia Doumit (The Boys), David Rysdahl (Oppenheimer), Lily Sullivan (Evil Dead Rise), and Oliver Cooper (Californication), the spinoff is set to arrive in theaters on June 15, 2025.
Speaking withEntertainment Weekly, Wan confirmed that whileSOULM8TEis set in the same world, itfollows a more adult story separate from the PG-13 constraints of theM3GANfilms. Comparing it to the erotic thrillers of the 1990s, the producer even went so far as to describe the film as “Fatal Attractionbut with robots.” Check out his comments below:
M3GAN, obviously, dabbles in the PG-13 world, the younger demographic. We always felt like there might be a more adult story to tell, and that’s really whatSOULM8TEis.SOULM8TEis basically set in the same AI world but seen through a more grown-up perspective, one that embraces all the great erotic thrillers from the ’90s. It’s likeFatal Attractionbut with robots.
Wan also went on to explain that whileSOULM8TEwill still contain humor in line with theM3GANmovies that spawned it, it will possess the darkest sense of humor of all three films in the franchise. He also suggested that theydid not want to directly replicateM3GAN’strademark sass. Check out his final comments below:
It’s really more grown-up. It is hard to replicate that sassiness that M3GAN has, and we don’t really want to do the same thing that we’ve done because M3GAN has fully staked a claim to that style of humor, if you will.
What SOULM8TE’s Adult Themes Mean For The M3GAN Franchise
The Franchise Is Already A Mashup Of Distinct Genres
Given the overwhelming popularity of thefirstM3GANmovieand the cult-like appeal of its titular robot, it is probably not surprising that producers would look to rapidly expand the property. Yet, while the threat of AI remains constant across all three movies, thepatchwork approach to the franchise’s selection of genres is decidedly unusual.
While the original movie was essentially an updated take on the well-known killer doll trope, the franchise has already taken a surprising turn bycraftingM3GAN 2.0into an action filmthat transforms its titular robot into a reformed hero. NowSOULM8TEappears poised to deliver yet another entirely different set of well-known tropesand film conventions.
The viability of other potential spinoffs and sequels will likely hinge on how wellSOULM8TEis received.
Whether this latest shift into ‘90s style erotic thrillers will succeed, especially in the wake ofM3GAN 2.0’sown notable change in genre, remains to be seen. However, the viability of other potential spinoffs and sequels will likely hinge on how wellSOULM8TEis received.
Our Take On SOULM8TE’s Use Of ’90s Thriller Tropes
An R-Rated Approach Will Cut Out A Lot Of The Franchise Fanbase
While the franchise is intent on embracing a wide range of film traditions, the decision to lean intoclassic thrillers likeFatal Attractionbodes well for a more mature take on the world ofM3GAN. Moreover, the franchise’s foray into more adult-oriented fare may also appeal to audiences of the first movie who preferredM3GAN’sunrated cut.
However, the question is whether Dolan’s ’90s-inspired thriller will be able to appeal to a large enough audience base to justify other adult-themedM3GANspinoffs. Not only willSOULM8TEmark another distinct change in genre, but by embracing an R-rated story, the new movie will need to contend with a much smaller subset of the franchise’s existing fanbase.
SOULM8TE
Cast
Soulm8te follows a grieving man who uses an artificially intelligent android to cope with the loss of his wife. However, his efforts to create a sentient companion lead to unintended consequences as the android transforms from a harmless lovebot into a lethal soulmate.
