Nikyatu Jusu is taking on a bold new project that dives into the universe of David Cronenberg’s classic body horror film The Fly. Jusu, whose work has already positioned her as a rising star in the horror genre, is set to write and direct the film for 20th Century Studios and Chernin Entertainment. This marks another major step for the Nanny director, who has been making waves in Hollywood with her nuanced, socially conscious approach to horror storytelling.
Jusu’s film, which is not a remake but a fresh entry into The Fly cinematic universe, will draw from Cronenberg’s chilling 1986 original—a science fiction and horror landmark that left audiences both captivated and horrified. That version of The Fly follows scientist Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum), whose experiment with teleportation spirals out of control when his DNA merges with that of a fly. His grotesque, psychological transformation epitomized body horror, a genre that Cronenberg mastered with groundbreaking effects that won an Academy Award for Best Makeup. The film, based on George Langelaan’s 1957 short story and adapted once before in 1958 with Vincent Price, became an iconic piece of horror cinema that grossed over $60 million and cemented Cronenberg’s reputation.
Jusu’s new project comes amid a resurgence of interest in body horror, with recent successes like Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance reigniting audience appreciation for the genre’s visceral storytelling. Cronenberg himself has continued to captivate horror fans, debuting his latest film The Shrouds at Cannes this year, a testament to the genre’s enduring appeal. Jusu’s take on The Fly promises to build upon this momentum, though plot details remain tightly under wraps. Sources confirm that her project is set in the world Cronenberg envisioned rather than being a direct retelling.
With this new film, Jusu joins an elite club of filmmakers reshaping horror narratives. Her debut feature, Nanny, won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance in 2022 and drew attention for its unique exploration of immigrant and racial identity within a psychological horror framework. Nanny tells the story of Aisha, an undocumented Senegalese immigrant working as a nanny in New York City, struggling to reunite with her son. It showcased Jusu’s talent for combining deeply personal storytelling with elements of horror, making her an exciting choice to expand The Fly’s world with a fresh, contemporary perspective.
Peter Chernin and Jenno Topping of Chernin Entertainment will produce Jusu’s project, underscoring the studio’s commitment to evolving horror for new audiences. With Jusu’s unique vision and a focus on narrative depth, this expansion of The Fly could offer fans of the original and newcomers alike a story that’s as much about humanity as it is about monstrosity.
Stay tuned for more updates on Nikyatu Jusu’s addition to The Fly cinematic universe—where body horror and thematic depth promise to converge in a thrilling new vision.