A SPOOKY DETOUR: 'TALK TO ME' SERIES ADVENTURES INTO META'S EXTENDED REALITY 
A few years ago, A24 greenlit a sequel to Danny and Michael Philippou's breakout horror hit 'Talk to Me'. Now, the Hollywood siblings are back with an unexpected expansion of their universe - but not in the way fans might have hoped. The brothers' latest project will be a series of six half-hour episodes created exclusively for Meta headsets, shot fully in 3D to create a fully immersive experience that will make horror fans feel like they're living out the terror.
The show's premise remains intact: a disembodied hand with supernatural powers can possess anyone who dares to grab hold of it. However, the new series takes a different approach by following "a group of young travelers chasing the ultimate party on a European island" until they stumble upon the Hand, a supernatural entity that's deadlier than any drug.
The Philippous are on board as executive producers, but a new creative team is guiding this Meta and XRTV collaboration. Darren Brandl came up with the concept with Trent Atherton, who wrote all six episodes, while Craig William Macneill (Castle Rock, Westworld) will direct. According to Brandl, 'Talk to Me' was an ideal project for extended reality because it allows the story to be mapped into viewers' own spaces, creating a sense of presence and awe.
While this new series promises to deliver an unsettling experience, fans may still hold out hope that a more accessible continuation of the story will make its way to theaters. In fact, when Danny Philippou spoke with the Hollywood Reporter earlier this year, he mentioned that 'Talk to Me 2' was initially greenlit but eventually got put on the backburner so they could focus on bringing back their previous project, 'Bring Her Back'.
The title for the 'Talk to Me' series remains under wraps, and no release date has been announced. For now, fans will have to wait and see if this Meta-exclusive adventure delivers the same thrills as the original 'Talk to Me'.
				
			A few years ago, A24 greenlit a sequel to Danny and Michael Philippou's breakout horror hit 'Talk to Me'. Now, the Hollywood siblings are back with an unexpected expansion of their universe - but not in the way fans might have hoped. The brothers' latest project will be a series of six half-hour episodes created exclusively for Meta headsets, shot fully in 3D to create a fully immersive experience that will make horror fans feel like they're living out the terror.
The show's premise remains intact: a disembodied hand with supernatural powers can possess anyone who dares to grab hold of it. However, the new series takes a different approach by following "a group of young travelers chasing the ultimate party on a European island" until they stumble upon the Hand, a supernatural entity that's deadlier than any drug.
The Philippous are on board as executive producers, but a new creative team is guiding this Meta and XRTV collaboration. Darren Brandl came up with the concept with Trent Atherton, who wrote all six episodes, while Craig William Macneill (Castle Rock, Westworld) will direct. According to Brandl, 'Talk to Me' was an ideal project for extended reality because it allows the story to be mapped into viewers' own spaces, creating a sense of presence and awe.
While this new series promises to deliver an unsettling experience, fans may still hold out hope that a more accessible continuation of the story will make its way to theaters. In fact, when Danny Philippou spoke with the Hollywood Reporter earlier this year, he mentioned that 'Talk to Me 2' was initially greenlit but eventually got put on the backburner so they could focus on bringing back their previous project, 'Bring Her Back'.
The title for the 'Talk to Me' series remains under wraps, and no release date has been announced. For now, fans will have to wait and see if this Meta-exclusive adventure delivers the same thrills as the original 'Talk to Me'.
 ) about this new direction for the 'Talk to Me' series, but also kinda disappointed
) about this new direction for the 'Talk to Me' series, but also kinda disappointed  . I mean, who doesn't love a good horror show on Netflix or Hulu? But watching it on Meta headsets is just not what I'd call immersive... like, isn't that just playing games with VR tech?
. I mean, who doesn't love a good horror show on Netflix or Hulu? But watching it on Meta headsets is just not what I'd call immersive... like, isn't that just playing games with VR tech?  On the other hand, if the Philippous are really keen on pushing the boundaries of extended reality, maybe we'll get some fresh storytelling ideas that'll make us feel like we're living out the terror
 On the other hand, if the Philippous are really keen on pushing the boundaries of extended reality, maybe we'll get some fresh storytelling ideas that'll make us feel like we're living out the terror  . The real question is, will this series bring back fans who were initially bummed when 'Talk to Me 2' got put on hold? And honestly, can you imagine watching an episode with a bunch of strangers in a VR headset... that's just some creepy stuff
. The real question is, will this series bring back fans who were initially bummed when 'Talk to Me 2' got put on hold? And honestly, can you imagine watching an episode with a bunch of strangers in a VR headset... that's just some creepy stuff 
 . I'm all for exploring new ways to tell stories, but I hope they don't sacrifice too much in terms of storytelling and character development for the sake of tech
. I'm all for exploring new ways to tell stories, but I hope they don't sacrifice too much in terms of storytelling and character development for the sake of tech  . That being said, if it does deliver on the scares and the spooky atmosphere, I'd be down to check it out
. That being said, if it does deliver on the scares and the spooky atmosphere, I'd be down to check it out  ... maybe after I've got my own VR headset, haha!
... maybe after I've got my own VR headset, haha! 
 and what's up with no release date tho? either way, i'm kinda stoked to see where they take this twisted tale
 and what's up with no release date tho? either way, i'm kinda stoked to see where they take this twisted tale 
 But, at the same time, I guess it's cool that they're pushing the boundaries of storytelling and immersive experiences.
 But, at the same time, I guess it's cool that they're pushing the boundaries of storytelling and immersive experiences. Can't wait to dive into these 6 episodes and see if they deliver the same thrills as the original 'Talk to Me'
 Can't wait to dive into these 6 episodes and see if they deliver the same thrills as the original 'Talk to Me' 
 ... but hey, at least we'll get some sick 3D horror vibes out of it
... but hey, at least we'll get some sick 3D horror vibes out of it 
 . but what i'm really curious about is how they're gonna make it work with 3d filming... will it be super realistic or more like a wild ride
. but what i'm really curious about is how they're gonna make it work with 3d filming... will it be super realistic or more like a wild ride  The fact that it's being shot in 3D and will map itself into viewers' own spaces sounds like a total mind-bender
 The fact that it's being shot in 3D and will map itself into viewers' own spaces sounds like a total mind-bender  . I'm curious to see how the new creative team brings this concept to life, especially with Craig William Macneill at the helm. Fingers crossed we get some more info on release dates soon - can't wait to find out if this series delivers the same scares as the original 'Talk to Me'
. I'm curious to see how the new creative team brings this concept to life, especially with Craig William Macneill at the helm. Fingers crossed we get some more info on release dates soon - can't wait to find out if this series delivers the same scares as the original 'Talk to Me' 
 . But at the same time, I'm a bit disappointed that 'Talk to Me 2' was put on the backburner
. But at the same time, I'm a bit disappointed that 'Talk to Me 2' was put on the backburner  . Fans were probably itching for more of that creepy hand stuff
. Fans were probably itching for more of that creepy hand stuff  . Can't wait to see how this all plays out
. Can't wait to see how this all plays out 