The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Paramount Pictures and J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot Productions have tapped Joe Barton (Giri/Haji; Humans) to write the screenplay for a direct sequel to the original Cloverfield.
The first film was a massive success at the box office, grossing over $172 million worldwide on an estimated $25 million production budget, and was ultimately the breakout film for director Matt Reeves (The Batman; War for the Planet of the Apes). It also spawned two follow-ups in 10 Cloverfield Lane and The Cloverfield Paradox, although neither was a direct sequel and were developed as separate films entirely before being brought into the Cloverfield universe.
While the original was shot in a unique found feature format following a group of friends as they dealt with the aftermath of a city under siege by a giant monster, the sequel will not carry on that legacy and will instead be filmed more traditionally. No production start date has been given, but it seems probable cameras could begin rolling sometime next year.
Barton is currently serving as the showrunner for HBO Max's upcoming untitled Gotham City Police Department series, which will be set in the same universe as Reeves' The Batman starring Robert Pattinson. He replaced Terence Winter, who exited the series last November.