While it divided opinion on release, I personally found Netflix’s live-action Death Note to be a flawed but enjoyable movie. A sequel has been on the cards for the last few years, but there hasn’t much in the way of news on the project recently. However, it does seem that things are moving ahead, and that includes additions to the cast.
According to sources close to WGTC – the same ones who told us a new Scream movie is in development and Extraction is getting a sequel – Emma Roberts of American Horror Story is being eyed to play Death Note 2‘s villain. Although we don’t know much more than that right now, including the character that Roberts might play, this latest update on Death Note 2‘s development at least shows that Netflix still want to make the sequel happen.
Of course, it’s fair to say that fans of the Death Note manga were not best pleased with the Americanized take on the source material that Wingard delivered, particularly in terms of how elements of the plot and themes were reworked or diluted. It may be the subsequent fan reaction that’s cooled Netflix’s enthusiasm for making Death Note 2, but it could just as well be a case of scheduling conflicts making it hard to pull together the cast and crew for shooting.
If Emma Roberts does join the project though, Death Note 2 will be getting an actress who’s proven she can play a villain on American Horror Story, having taken on multiple characters in the anthology series. Also known for her role on Scream Queens and an extensive list of movie parts, Roberts would be a solid addition to a cast that should hopefully include returns for Willem Dafoe, Nat Wolff, and Lakeith Stanfield.
Still, things are at a very early stage and given the many projects that Netflix has in development, it may be a while before we get any firmer news on Death Note 2.
