1408: Elijah Wood in Sequel of the Stephen King Movie
Stranger Things star Natalia Dyer, John Cusack, and Samuel L. Jackson are also expected to be on board
The planned sequel to the horror film "1408" is taking shape. As KinoCheck previously reported, there had already been talk of a return by the original leads, John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson. Now, two more actors are set to join the cast. According to Variety, "Lord of the Rings" star Elijah Wood and "Stranger Things" actress Natalia Dyer are set to appear in the "1408" sequel.
The roles they are set to play are currently being kept under wraps. However, Dyer is expected to star in the film, while Wood is said to have a supporting role. Cusack and Jackson are currently negotiating their return to the roles they played in the first film. According to a source at Variety, however, the two are expected to play only secondary characters this time around.
The original film was released in 2007 and is based on the eponymous short story "1408" by bestselling author Stephen King. The story centered on Mike Enslin, played by John Cusack. The author explores places that are rumored to be haunted. Enslin himself is skeptical of supposed paranormal phenomena. When he receives a warning not to enter Room 1408 at New York's The Dolphin Hotel, he chooses that very room – and experiences a series of strange, terrifying events. In addition to John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson, the film's cast also included Mary McCormack and Tony Shalhoub. Matt Greenberg, Scott Alexander, and Larry Karaszewski wrote the screenplay. Directed by Mikael Håfström, the film grossed $132 million worldwide at the box office on a budget of $25 million.
It remains to be seen what the planned sequel will be about. Production is currently scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2027. Håfström returns to direct the second installment as well. He also co-wrote the screenplay with Mark Verheiden.
Elijah Wood returns as Frodo
Elijah Wood and Natalia Dyer have each made a name for themselves in major franchises. Most viewers probably know Wood best as Frodo from Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" films. Something that should particularly delight his fans: Next year, he'll be back on the big screen in that role. On December 17, 2027, "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum," another fantasy adventure set in Middle-earth, will hit theaters. In terms of plot, the film is intended to complement the events from the "Lord of the Rings" movie "The Fellowship of the Ring." Andy Serkis is directing the film. The filmmaker is not only directing but will once again play the role of Gollum. Alongside Serkis and Wood, another star from Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy is returning: Ian McKellen as Gandalf.
In addition, Wood has also made a name for himself in recent years through the series "Yellowjackets," where he plays a small but not entirely insignificant role. The final, fourth season of the mysterious series about a high school girls' soccer team that crashes in the wilderness in 1996 and must fight for survival from then on premieres on November 20, 2026, on Paramount+.
Natalia Dyer: Best known for Stranger Things
Natalia Dyer gained worldwide fame primarily through the series "Stranger Things." The mix of horror and coming-of-age drama about a group of teenage friends facing supernatural threats aired on Netflix from 2016 to 2025 and spanned five seasons with a total of 42 episodes. Dyer was part of the hit series from the very beginning, playing the role of Nancy Wheeler alongside Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Charlie Heaton, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, and Maya Hawke.
Just recently, a new live-action spin-off series titled "Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure" was announced, set to premiere on Netflix in 2028, as reported by KinoCheck. However, a return by Dyer is unlikely. That's because the new series is set in the 1950s – decades before the events of the original series, which took place in the 1980s. Along with the announcement, a first teaser for "Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure" was also released. While the short clip doesn't reveal too much, it certainly helps pique curiosity about the new series. You can watch the teaser here:
