New Line is in early development on a sequel to horror-thriller “Lights Out,” which grossed $27 million domestically in its first five days on a budget of under $5 million.

The key creatives are returning for the project with David F. Sandberg back to direct from script by Eric Heisserer. James Wan will again produce through his Atomic Monster company along with Lawrence Grey through his Grey Matter shingle.

The film stars Teresa Palmer, Gabriel Bateman, Billy Burke, Maria Bello and Sandberg’s spouse Lotta Losten. The story centers on a malevolent apparition that attacks in the dark with Heisserer’s script based on the 2013 short film that Sandberg made with his wife.

“Lights Out” performed above expectations at the U.S. box office and added $8.5 million internationally at 3,737 screens in 32 markets.

Sandberg is currently directing “Annabelle 2” for New Line, which has given that sequel a prime release date of May 19, 2017.

“Annabelle,” directed by John R. Leonetti with Peter Safran and James Wan producing, generated over $250 million in worldwide grosses on a $6.5 million budget as a spinoff from Wan’s 2013 hit “The Conjuring.” The film’s storyline centered on a possessed doll named Annabelle, as described by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, and set in California in 1969.

The news about the “Lights Out” sequel was first reported by Deadline Hollywood.