The enduring appeal of a horror franchise that continuously captivates audiences is undeniable. Beyond the visceral thrill of witnessing the gruesome fates of unsuspecting victims at the hands of a slasher, fans are often drawn to the beloved legacy characters portrayed by stars such as Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox in Scream, or Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. in <em>I Know What You Did Last Summer</em>. These familiar faces serve as the emotional core of their respective films. However, there exists a unique genre series that thrives without these nostalgic figures—where their absence is not only accepted but celebrated as a critical aspect of the narrative.

Final Destination explores the concept of evading death and the chaotic, often absurd consequences that ensue. Each installment culminates in a wild conclusion where all story arcs are resolved—specifically, the demise of every character through outrageous and imaginative means. In some cases, like that of Devon Sawa’s character Alex Browning, the narrative wraps up his story with off-screen explanations (but let’s be real, we’re not convinced he’s gone until we see some evidence!). However, <em>Final Destination 2</em> presents a unique case with Kimberly Corman, played by A.J. Cook, who managed to cheat death and return to life, temporarily absolving her from the grim fate that awaits others. Yet the question lingers—has her name been considered for the latest installment, <em>Final Destination Bloodlines</em>?

Recently, during an interview with co-directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, Collider’s Perri Nemiroff posed a question that has intrigued fans. Thankfully, Lipovsky was eager to share insights. He revealed, “There was,” in reference to an early draft where Kimberly was included in the storyline, “Actually, I think the very first draft we read, she walked in. [Tony Todd’s character, William Bludworth] remarked, ‘And here she is!’” This envisioned scene would have had Kimberly appearing in a hospital morgue, where the Campbell family convenes to consult with Bludworth. So, what ultimately led to her exclusion?

While Stein initially entertained the idea, expressing that having her return would be fantastic, their perspective shifted upon considering the narrative implications. “Ultimately, we couldn’t get over the fact that she was just, like, waiting there in the closet or something for them to show up,” he admitted. Although fans might have relished the return of such an iconic legacy character, the manner in which she would have been introduced would have stretched the limits of believability—an important consideration, even for the Final Destination franchise.

Adam Stein and Zach Lipovsky Affirm Their Decision Regarding ‘Final Destination Bloodlines’

The duo unanimously believes that omitting A.J. Cook’s character was the right decision for their new film in the Final Destination series. They crafted a narrative that stands independently and features a compelling storyline centered around family dynamics, making the inclusion of a character from past films unnecessary. Elaborating on their reasoning, Lipovsky stated:

“Then, the more we thought about it, too, this is really more a movie about him and his connection. It didn’t feel necessary. Some people leaked online that she was on set — that never happened. I don’t even know if she was ever even reached out to. It was just that the very early first draft was like, she exists in the world, should we bring her back? And we were like, ‘No.’”

Nonetheless, this does not entirely rule out the possibility of Kimberly making an appearance in future installments. Given the box office success and positive reception of Final Destination Bloodlines, there is a strong likelihood that a seventh film could materialize. In light of this, Stein commented, “Well, you never know. Future movies.”

Final Destination Bloodlines is currently showing in cinemas. Catch our full conversation with Stein and Lipovsky below.

[nospin]You can explore the original article here; all photos and images utilized in our discussion are credited to this source. We do not claim authorship; they have been included solely for educational purposes with appropriate attribution to their original source.[/nospin]

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