Orphan 3 Gets Green Light with Isabelle Fuhrman Back as Esther

The twisted tale of Esther is far from over! The Orphan franchise, which has captivated horror fans with its chilling storyline and shocking twists, is officially getting a third film.

This week, Variety confirmed that Lionsgate has greenlit Orphan 3, with Isabelle Fuhrman set to reprise her infamous role as Esther. The movie will be produced by Dark Castle Entertainment, with writer David Coggeshall and director William Brent Bell returning to shape the next eerie chapter.

In a statement, Dark Castle Co-CEO Norman Golightly expressed excitement for the franchise’s return. “Dark Castle is excited to announce another terrifying chapter in the Orphan saga,” Golightly said. “With the past success of the first two movies and another thrilling storyline, we are confident that Orphan 3 will be a must-see movie for both current fans of the franchise, and new fans alike.”

The biggest question on everyone’s mind is where the story will take Esther this time. The franchise’s second film, Orphan: First Kill, served as a prequel, detailing Esther’s backstory as a 30-something-year-old woman posing as a child. Since the first Orphan movie ended with Esther’s dramatic death, a traditional sequel might seem unlikely. However, another prequel could dive deeper into Esther’s sinister past and twisted psychology.

Regardless of the direction Orphan 3 takes, fans and industry insiders alike expect it to be another box-office hit. Lionsgate is banking on the film’s success, bringing it to the American Film Market this week for international sales. The Orphan franchise has a solid track record; the original Orphan (2009) made $78 million worldwide, and Orphan: First Kill grossed $45 million globally, despite its simultaneous release on Paramount+.