'Obsession' star Michael Johnston addresses sequel rumours

Michael Johnston revealed there are currently no plans for an Obsession sequel, despite the supernatural thriller becoming the highest-grossing original horror film of the century.

Johnston says no sequel is in development

Speaking on the I've Never Said This Before podcast, Johnston said he would happily return to the franchise but confirmed no follow-up film is currently being planned.

The actor joked that his character, Bear, had likely received the ending audiences felt he deserved, making a direct sequel difficult. However, he praised writer-director Curry Barker's idea of expanding the franchise through an anthology format featuring new stories connected by the same supernatural world.

Horror hit exceeded box office expectations

Released in May, Obsession became one of the year's biggest independent horror successes, earning more than $400 million worldwide after being made on a reported budget of just $750,000.

The film follows Bear, a hopeless romantic whose wish to win over his crush comes true after he breaks the mysterious One Wish Willow, only to discover that fulfilling his desire comes with terrifying consequences.

Star reveals alternate ending and Nikki's original fate

Johnston also shared behind-the-scenes details about the film's ending, revealing that the filmmakers initially shot a far darker finale in which Nikki died after a gunshot.

That version was ultimately abandoned in favour of the ending seen in cinemas, where Nikki survives. Johnston added that actress Inde Navarrette delivered the emotional final scene in a single take.

Looking back on the story, Johnston said he came to believe Nikki genuinely had feelings for Bear all along but grew frustrated when he failed to express his own emotions, a perspective he developed after discussing the characters with Navarrette and Barker following production.