The Purge: Anarchy’s Frank Grillo is in “final negotiations” to reprise his role in Universal, Blumhouse and Platinum Dunes’ The Purge 3, according to Variety.
Returning as writer and director for the latest installment is franchise creator James DeMonaco, alongside Jason Blum as producer. In the past, DeMonaco revealed that this would actually be a prequel, tentatively titled The Purge: Origins. The film will take place in a future where one day each year all crime is legal and all police, fire and medical emergency services are shut down for a 12-hour period (7pm till 7am) – described by the government as “the Purge” – leaving citizens to fend for themselves.
In the sequel, Anarchy, Grillo starred as a police sergeant who went out on the night of the Purge to avenge the death of his son. He is then pulled into protecting a group of people who are left without shelter as the violence and chaos ensues.
The original Purge, released in 2013, starred Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey, and was set in the year 2022. The sci-fi thriller, which cost a mere $3 million to produce, successfully took in $89 million at the global box office.
Due to scheduling problems with his DIRECTV show Kingdom (which premieres this fall), it wasn’t clear if Grillo would be able to return for the third installment. However, Variety notes, the issues have been worked out and the actor will now be able to shoot The Purge 3 starting in September.
Grillo can be seen reprising his role of Crossbones in the upcoming Captain America: Civil War. He will also be starring in sci-fi action pic Beyond Skyline and Akiva Goldsman’s Stephanie.
The Purge 3 is set to hit theaters on July 1st, 2016.
