Producers Fede Álvarez and Rodo Sayagues explain why Don't Breathe 2 isn't bringing back the original film's star, Jane Levy. With the release of the first Don't Breathe 2 movie trailer, anticipation is at an all-time high for the return of Stephen Lang as the Blind Man, now known as Norman Nordstrom. The acclaimed creative team of Fede Álvarez and Rodo Sayagues, who rose to fame with 2013's Evil Dead, is back even though their roles have switched.
That's not the only shake-up in store, however. Lang is confirmed as the only cast member returning, meaning fans won't find out what happened to Jane Levy's Rocky. She starred in Don't Breathe with Daniel Zovatto and Dylan Minnette, who played Rocky's friends Money and Alex respectively. Together the three broke into the house of Lang's Blind Man with the intent of robbing him, but he proved to be a formidable adversary. At the end of Don't Breathe, Rocky escaped the Blind Man's house and fled with her sister and his money. While Levy not returning makes sense, given that the new film takes place in another town nearly a decade later, it still leaves viewers with some questions.
At a recent press event for Don't Breathe 2, the producers were asked what the thought process was behind removing Levy from the forefront. Their responses revealed some very interesting insight into not only the creative development process of Don't Breathe 2, but also Levy's own commitment to her horror movie roles. As Álvarez explained:
Jane is amazing; we've made two movies with her and have so much respect for her. I saw her recent work, and I'm so happy that she's having so much success with her TV stuff. I think when I see her there, I see her in her true element where she's truly happy. When I saw her shooting this movie, I did not see her happy. I think that she gives 200% every day, and these movies are really demanding in the way we do them also. So I wouldn't have done that to her.
In general, actors going through this - that take it seriously - go through hell. And she went through hell twice, back to back, with Evil Dead and Don't Breathe. By the time of Don't Breathe, it was even harder. Maybe when I called her, she would've said yes. I doubt it, but if she had, I would feel really bad. I wouldn't want to do that to anybody.
The producer, who directed the first Don't Breathe and co-wrote the second, added, "There was a human element involved in that decision." But Sayagues, who took the reins as director for Don't Breathe 2, had his own take, indicating the decision was made independent of considering Levy's career. He said:
I wasn't thinking about that when we came up with the story for this movie. We just thought, "What is the sequel that we want to do?" We came up with the story, and the story didn't call for her character. So, that was it.
The good thing about her absence from the upcoming story is that fans can breathe a sigh of relief that Rocky won't be in danger once again. Since she escaped with her sister and Norman's money, those who were invested in Rocky's wellbeing can imagine she's living a peaceful life - and hopefully spending the money wisely. As for the possibility of another collaboration between Levy and the production duo, Álvarez votes yes. "Hopefully she's gonna want to make another one of these movies at some point," he replied. "But I think we'll come up with something new." So while some might be disappointed that Levy's Rocky won't face off with Lang's Norman once again in Don't Breathe 2, it seems to have been the best decision for the story and the actress herself.
Don't Breathe 2 comes out in theaters on August 13.
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