EXCLUSIVE: After the sequel The Purge: Anarchy surpassed the original film’s $91 million worldwide gross on its way to $110 million, Universal, Blumhouse and Platinum Dunes have begun development on a third installment of the fright film. Small wonder this is happening; the two films had a combined budget of $12 million, and together have grossed $200 million worldwide. DeMonaco, who wrote and directed the first two, will write the third with an eye to direct his storyline about a land where one night of the year, murder is legal and terrible things happen those unlucky enough to not be locked up tight in their homes.

“I never imagined that The Purge would become the phenomenon it has become,” DeMonaco told Deadline, “and I am thrilled to continue my collaboration with Blumhouse, Sebastien Lemercier, Platinum Dunes and the great team at Universal in building The Purge into a worldwide franchise.” Returning as producers will be Sebastian Lemercier, Blumhouse Productions’ Jason Blum, and Platinum Dunes partners Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form. The franchise is part of the wide ranging deal between fright factory Blumhouse and Universal, which was just extended a decade.