Steven Soderbergh Plans 'Terrifying' Post-COVID Sequel to Contagion

Director Steven Soderbergh is considering a sequel to his 2011 film 'Contagion', inspired by the real-world impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Soderbergh and writer Scott Z. Burns have engaged with pandemic experts to develop 'terrifying' ideas for a follow-up, though Soderbergh emphasizes the need for a non-predictable plot and expresses caution about being 'irresponsible' with the themes. He is wary of manifesting new fears or torturing audiences with past traumas. The original film, which featured a star-studded cast including Gwyneth Paltrow and Matt Damon, gained renewed relevance during the COVID-19 pandemic and even influenced UK vaccine policy. The potential sequel, described as a 'philosophical' successor, aims to explore new contexts while remaining grounded in scientific plausibility.