Kathryn Newton nearly lost her footing when she found out she would share the screen with Sarah Michelle Gellar in Ready or Not 2. The moment came during an onstage chat at CCXP in São Paulo, Brazil, where Newton looked back on past and current projects, including the anticipated sequel from Searchlight Pictures. The new chapter, directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, brings Newton back as a lead alongside Samara Weaving, with theaters set to welcome the film on April 10, 2026.
During the event, Newton expressed her gratitude for the trailer’s reception, noting that it became the most-viewed trailer in Searchlight’s history and meant a great deal to everyone involved in making the movie.
Her surprise at Gellar’s involvement came during a rehearsal in Toronto. Newton was working with Weaving and the directors when she spotted a photo of Gellar on the wall and heard the news that the Buffy the Vampire Slayer star would join the cast. Newton recalls that she literally collapsed to the floor, describing Gellar as a major inspiration from her youth.
Newton also shared appreciation that Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett wrote Ready or Not 2 with her in mind after their work on Abigail, the recent vampire film. She described an emotional moment when the directors told her they’d written the sequel for her, which she celebrated with tears and a dramatic floor tumble.
In Ready or Not 2, Weaving returns as Grace MacCaullay, who again faces a deadly game where affluent families compete to kill her. Newton plays Grace’s estranged younger sister, Faith, and spoke warmly about her on-screen sister, praising Weaving as approachable, stylish, and genuinely down-to-earth, with a shared love of video games.
A fun anecdote from Newton highlighted Weaving’s supportive friendship off screen. Newton revealed that Weaving, married to Jimmy Warden, even helped with potential romantic interests for Newton, sending a text and flirting with a guy on Newton’s behalf—though Newton admits she ultimately didn’t seal the deal.
Would you agree that Ready or Not 2 has the strongest returning chemistry of any horror-comedy duo, or do you see a different pairing stealing the spotlight? Share your thoughts in the comments.
