After surprise hitThe Purgeand its sequelThe Purge: Anarchyarrived in back-to-back years, many thought that producerJason Blum’s Blumhouse would crank out a sequel every year, much like his lucrativeParanormal Activityfranchise. Fans got a break from the franchisein 2015, but now it’s back and more timely than ever this summer withThe Purge: Election Year, hitting theaters July 1. Today we have the second trailer for this thriller, along with a new poster and photo that teases this year’s “annual Purge” could be the most deadly yet, while mirroring our own election year.
Expanding the universe introduced in the hit franchise that electrified the culture and earned $200 million at the worldwide box office,Universal Pictures’The Purge: Election Yearreveals the next terrifying chapter that occurs over 12 hours of annual lawlessness sanctioned by the New Founders of America to keep this country great. It’s been two years since Leo Barnes (Frank Grillo) stopped himself from a regrettable act of revenge on Purge Night. Now serving as head of security for Senator Charlie Roan (Elizabeth Mitchell), his mission is to protect her in a run for president and survive the annual ritual that targets the poor and innocent.
But when a betrayal forces them onto the streets of D.C. on the one night when no help is available, they must stay alive until dawn…or both be sacrificed for their sins against the state. If you notice a familiar theme in the poster and trailer that has been prevalent in this year’s political campaigns, that’s not a coincidence. Writer-directorJames DeMonacoteased last month that this was inspired by this year’sPresidential candidateslikeDonald Trump,Hillary ClintonandBernie Sanders, with the director saying that there is a “representation” of each candidate prevalent in the movie.
Once again returning to collaborate with franchise creatorJames DeMonacoonThe Purge 3are the series' producers. The director is joined by Blumhouse Productions’Jason Blum(InsidiousandOuijaseries,The Visit), Platinum Dunes partnersMichael Bay,Brad FullerandAndrew Form(Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesandOuijaseries,The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), and writer/directorDeMonaco’s longtime production partner,Sébastien K. Lemercier(Assault on Precinct 13,Four Lovers). The supporting cast forThe Purge: Election YearincludesMykelti Williamson,Ethan Phillips,Edwin Hodge,Terry Serpico,Kyle Secor,Kimberly Howe,Joseph Julian SoriaandStephanie Ann Saunders.
The Purge: Election Yearis set to hit theaters July 1, going up against Disney’sThe BFG, Warner Bros.‘The Legend of Tarzanand Sony’sThe Shallows. 2013’sThe Purgeearned $89.3 million worldwide from just a $3 million budget, while 2014’sThe Purge: Election Yearearned $111.9 million from a $9 million production budget.The Purge: Election Yearwas produced under a $10 million budget, so we’ll have to wait and see if it can out-gross its predecessors. Take a look at the new trailer, poster and photo below, to get ready for the annual Purgethis summer.
