Final Destination Bloodlines Filmmakers Break Down Their Fresh Spin on Death

The “Final Destination” movie series once held significant influence in the horror genre, with the initial five movies being released within an 11-year span. Although the fan base remains substantial, a new sequel has been absent for 14 years, leading some to believe that it’s high time for another installment. However, this may soon change as “Final Destination Bloodlines” is slated to be released, promising to maintain the franchise’s traditional elements while introducing fresh viewpoints to attract new audiences. “Final Destination Bloodlines” is scheduled to hit theaters on May 16th.

Craig Perry, producer, explained to ComicBook why now seemed perfect for a sequel. He mentioned that Jon Watts’ original idea, which combined elements from the past and a mystery about the present, centered around a family, was key. This blend enabled them to adapt the formula of Final Destination, while maintaining its essence yet introducing subtle changes. The modifications provided both a procedural mystery (why is this happening?) and an emotionally resonant storyline because it involved a family. As various events unfolded between their release date approaching, COVID-19, strikes, and other circumstances, they realized there was a viable route for the sequel to follow. In summary, those factors led them to understand that the path forward made sense, and they were determined to pursue it.

Although it certainly contains some terrifying moments, Bloodlines might surprise audiences with more laughter than they’ve seen before.

According to producer Tim Wynn, this movie is packed with a lot of humor, making it one of the funniest installments in the Final Destination series. He was captivated by Kaitlyn Santa Juana’s character Stefani, Richard Harmon’s role, and every actor involved. In his opinion, everyone delivered outstanding performances.

Director Zach Lipovsky explained, “I believe Death’s humor arises from his intelligence. Death is all about having a good time. Instead of swiftly ending their lives, Death could choose to do so quickly. In a way, Death might even be partially responsible for their initial escape, just to enjoy another round. He enjoys setting up intricate plans and delivering payoffs, because that’s what keeps things exciting for him.

The movie creators didn’t aim to completely overhaul a successful template, instead, they managed to leave their unique touch on the time-tested approach of the series.

Director Adam Stein expressed that Rube Goldberg machines were the standout feature for them during production. As filmmakers, they didn’t have a traditional villain like one with a knife approaching them, but rather the challenge of filmmaking itself. The intricate shots and close-ups of objects constructing this elaborate contraption were thrilling to capture.

Like Zach mentioned, the ominous element of death marking characters was present in many films, but they aimed to make it unpredictable. They wanted viewers to think they knew the order, only for secrets yet to be revealed to disrupt that assumption and keep the audience guessing within the established rules of their storytelling.

In his explanation, Lipovsky shared that as fans themselves, they relied on their instincts when deciding how to approach this movie, confidently stating that “Final Destination” is remarkable due to its unique structure and formula. He elaborated on bending the conventions of the franchise without shattering them, aiming to keep audiences engaged while still offering unpredictable twists. The diehard fans were intended to be caught off guard by the unexpected turns the plot would take, as they deviated from what was typically expected in the series. This included questioning how certain events fit within the established narrative, only for viewers to gradually realize that they adhered to familiar rules, maintaining an element of surprise throughout. Similarly, the action sequences were designed to depart from conventional structures, avoiding the typical solo character in a dangerous location trope and keeping the audience guessing until the very end.

Reflecting on the enthusiastic supporters we have, the duo meticulously sprinkled references from our cherished past throughout Bloodlines, uncovering a few hidden gems even we hadn’t fully unearthed yet.

In this production, there are numerous hidden references or “Easter eggs” scattered throughout – from license plates to notes in books, and even secret items concealed within walls. We intentionally packed it full of these Easter eggs, hinting at them playfully. Some of these hidden gems have yet to be discovered because we instructed the team to add them without telling us, ensuring that they are subtly incorporated so as not to alienate new viewers if they don’t recognize the reference.

Lipovsky mentioned, “One Easter egg in the film I particularly enjoy is a character heavily tattooed. When he’s dismembered, his skull tattoo becomes visible and metal protrudes from within him, replicating precisely the poster for [Final Destination 5]. I was thrilled that we managed to incorporate that detail.

After such a lengthy gap since the previous installment in the series, the filmmakers found themselves with an array of fresh tools at their disposal. Yet, they were careful not to overstep boundaries and create visual effects that might seem excessive or out of place.

In our filmmaking process, we aimed to induce a sense of vertigo and fear of heights in the audience, making them feel as if they were 400 feet above ground on an IMAX screen. To achieve this, we employed LED volume technology to construct a wall surrounding the Skyview set, providing a more authentic viewing experience. Instead of using blue or green screens, real light shone through the glass and bounced off the set, creating the illusion that viewers were truly present. Additionally, we implemented creative VFX techniques to expand the background view, enhancing the sensation of disorientation and tension. Rather than resorting to the traditional Hitchcock dolly zoom, which is frequently used, we sought alternative methods to stretch the perspective, provoke a feeling of instability, and heighten the suspense.

Wynn went on to say, “The directors, Zach and Adam, did an outstanding job of using practical effects from the start, which makes everything feel so authentic. Compared to other Final Destination films, where props like axes would suddenly appear and decapitate someone, this one is different because it’s mostly real. An impressive scene in this movie involved setting fire to what might be the oldest woman ever. She was a stuntwoman, 71 years old. When I saw that, it was incredible, truly amazing.

Final Destination Bloodlines lands in theaters on May 16th.

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2025-05-15 20:40