Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein Return to Indie Sci-Fi Roots With 'Freaks 2'
Directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein are developing a sequel to their 2018 breakout thriller Freaks after establishing themselves in the studio system.
By Maya Chen · October 4, 2026 · 1 min read
Published by Hollywood Tomorrow
Filmmaking duo Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein are revisiting the independent sci-fi thriller that launched their careers, developing a follow-up feature titled *Freaks 2*, according to reporting from The Hollywood Reporter.
The original *Freaks*, which premiered at the Vancouver International Film Festival in 2018, served as a calling card that elevated the co-directors into steady studio assignments across genre film and television.
Reflecting on the original release and its subsequent trajectory, the directors emphasized how significantly the low-budget project altered their career paths. "That film changed our lives," the filmmakers told The Hollywood Reporter.
## Retaining Indie IP in a Studio Environment
The move reflects an ongoing pattern among genre filmmakers who translate festival acclaim into studio credibility while continuing to develop their own original intellectual property. Reinvesting in self-generated concepts provides creative insulation against unpredictable studio slate shifts.
As Hollywood Tomorrow tracks the genre landscape, returning to a breakout indie project allows proven directors to maintain creative autonomy while capitalizing on an established cult audience.
Specific production schedules, financing terms, and casting details for *Freaks 2* remain under wraps.
Reported from the originating source.
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