Good Boy Director Discusses Potential Sequels and Expanded Universe

On October 3, writer-director Ben Leonberg released his feature debut, Good Boy, a supernatural horror film centered on a loyal dog named Indy who moves into a new family home with his owner, Todd (Shane Jensen). When sinister entities begin to torment the pair, Indy must step up to protect his best friend from the forces lurking in the shadows.

In an interview with ScreenRant, Leonberg and producer Kari Fischer discussed the film’s success and the possibility of expanding the story beyond its first installment. Leonberg revealed that ideas for a sequel were already forming during production, explaining that he and his co-writer had brainstormed follow-ups while still shooting the movie.

Leonberg stated they “had ideas for the sequel while we were making the movie – some of the things that weren’t practical to make for several reasons, not just because Indy couldn’t do it, but ideas of what happens next to Indy’s character.”

Leonberg added that the story might not necessarily return to the same dog, but could instead feature another canine protagonist in a new horror setting. “Maybe even just a continuation with another dog, not necessarily in the Good Boy universe, but another familiar horror setting where a canine has to become a hero. That unique point of view is something I’d definitely be interested in,” the director explained.

Although Leonberg clearly has more ideas in mind, a sequel may not happen right away. The director shared that he intends to shift gears creatively before returning to the “land of dogs,” saying he’s eager to work with humans on his next project.

Good Boy’s Success Could Lead to a Larger Universe

Since its release, Good Boy has received strong reviews, currently holding a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film has been praised for avoiding horror stereotypes by making an animal the hero rather than the victim – a twist that helped the movie stand out among other horror movies from this year.

Interest in the film also skyrocketed after the trailer dropped, with Google searches for Indy’s survival reportedly increasing by 2000%. The speculation forced Leonberg to confirm the dog’s fate ahead of release, a move that reassured worried audiences and helped fuel pre-release buzz.

While Leonberg is focused on a more human-focused project for his next film, his comments are clear that he isn’t done with Good Boy just yet. With Indy having survived the events of the first movie, a potential sequel – or even a broader “Good Boy universe” – remains very much on the table.