Orphan prequel: Isabelle Fuhrman returns as Esther, Julia Stiles co-stars

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

About eight months ago, it was announced that THE BOY / BRAHMS: THE BOY II director William Brent Bell will be directing a prequel to the 2009 "homicidal 30-something pretends to be a 9-year-old" film ORPHAN (watch it HERE) – and at that time, I lamented the fact that the 11 year wait between films would make it impossible for Isabelle Fuhrman to play killer "little girl" Esther again. Fuhrman is 23 now, she can't pass as a fake 9-year-old anymore.

Turns out, I was wrong. Fuhrman actually is reprising the role of Esther in the prequel, and will be able to do so through "a combination of forced perspective shooting and a world-class makeup team". This movie trickery now makes the prequel a must-see for me, I have to see this attempt to make Fuhrman look the same as she did 11 years ago.

Announced under the title ESTHER, the prequel is now being called ORPHAN: FIRST KILL. David Coggeshall wrote the screenplay, crafting the following story:

Leena Klammer orchestrates a brilliant escape from an Estonian psychiatric facility and travels to America by impersonating the missing daughter of a wealthy family. But Leena’s new life as "Esther" comes with an unexpected wrinkle and pits her against a mother who will protect her family at any cost.

Fuhrman is joined in the cast by Julia Stiles. Filming is already underway.

James Tomlinson is producing ORPHAN: FIRST KILL with Dark Castle Entertainment's Alex Mace, Hal Sadoff, and Ethan Erwin. Original ORPHAN screenwriter David Leslie Johnson serves as executive producer. Jen Gorton and Josie Liang are overseeing the project for eOne.