Never underestimate the power of young adult novels with a slight "Fifty Shades of Grey" inspiration that get turned into films. AFTER was released in 2019 and while it barely made a blip in the U.S. with a gross of $12.1 million, the film proved popular overseas, grossing $69.7 million worldwide on a $14 million budget. Due to that nice turn in profit, a sequel, AFTER WE COLLIDED is on the way but it has been announced the film's theatrical and on-demand release has been slightly delayed but fans will be happy to hear that two more sequels are going into production.
AFTER WE COLLIDED has delayed its theatrical and video-on-demand release until October 23, 2020. The @AfterMovie Instagram page confirmed that, in order to keep viewers safe and healthy, the film will hit screens on October 23 instead of the initially-planned October 2. You can check out the Instagram announcement video below:
In another video posted to the Instagram page, fans got another big announcement that two more films in the AFTER series are going into production. You can check out that video announcement below:
In the first film, which is based on the 2014 new adult fiction novel of the same name by Anna Todd, the story follows Tessa Young (Josephine Langford) and Hardin Scott (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) through a whirlwind relationship filled with passion and jealousy. In AFTER, the two meet in college and quickly fall for each other—but by the end of the movie, their relationship is on the rocks. AFTER WE COLLIDED picks up where the story left off, with Tessa beginning a position at a publishing house while simultaneously dealing with her romance with Hardin—as well as getting to know a new potential boyfriend, Trevor, played by Dylan Sprouse. The book series continues with "After We Fell" and "After Ever Happy", which, as previously announced, will be headed into production so fans can see how this young love triangle plays out. Oh and by the way, the novel series also includes a fifth book, a prequel titled "Before", but there's no news as to whether that will also be developed for the big screen.
I actually saw AFTER last year in theaters and sometimes you see things you're not totally proud of. I can say I can understand why the target audience might love it because it plays on all the angst and tales of forbidden love that is probably enticing as a young adult. I also thought the film was visually appealing and the actors, particularly Josephine Langford, were strong in the film despite the cliched nature of the story. My morbid curiosity will probably make me see the sequels too so down the AFTER rabbit hole I go.
Will YOU be seeing AFTER WE COLLIDED? The film hits select theaters and on-demand on October 23, 2020.