‘M3GAN’ spinoff ‘Soulm8te’ delayed, fans face disappointment
Universal delays ‘M3GAN’ spinoff ‘Soulm8te,’ searching for new buyers, leaving fans anxious and uncertain about release.
Following the disappointing summer flop of ‘M3GAN 2.0,’ the spinoff ‘Soulm8te’ faces uncertainty, leaving fans disappointed.
With less than a month to go before its highly anticipated release, Universal Pictures has officially pulled Soulm8te from its release calendar, meaning the film will no longer hit theaters on January 8, 2026. The sudden removal comes amid an absence of marketing materials and growing speculation about the project’s future, as insiders now suggest that the horror spinoff of the popular M3GAN franchise is likely to be shopped around to other studios.
The move follows a difficult summer for Blumhouse Productions, whose M3GAN 2.0 struggled at the box office, failing to replicate the social media-fueled viral success of the original 2023 hit. The first M3GAN film had captured the attention of audiences worldwide with its unique blend of horror, dark comedy, and commentary on the growing role of technology in everyday life. Fans were drawn to the titular AI doll’s eerie charm and the way the film leaned into horror camp while still providing bite-sized thrills suitable for social media buzz.
However, M3GAN 2.0 veered in a different direction, abandoning much of the horror camp that had endeared the first installment to audiences. The sequel attempted to broaden its appeal with genre experiments, including moments of lighter humor and unexpected character development, but critics and fans alike reacted lukewarmly. In a rare moment of candor, Blumhouse founder Jason Blum reflected on the sequel’s shortcomings in an interview following its release.
“We all thought Megan was like Superman. We could do anything to her. We could change genres. We could put her in the summer. We could make her look different. And we classically over-thought how powerful people’s engagement was with her,” Blum explained, acknowledging that the team may have misjudged just how invested audiences were in the original formula.
Despite the disappointment surrounding the sequel, anticipation for Soulm8te had remained relatively high among fans of the franchise. Little has been publicly revealed about the spinoff, but the film did make a brief splash at CinemaCon in April, where a trailer was showcased in a private screening. From what was seen, Soulm8te promises to take the M3GAN universe in a fresh direction, exploring new themes while maintaining the franchise’s fascination with AI companions.
The trailer features Lily Sullivan in the lead role as an AI-powered companion, a concept that immediately signals a shift from the murderous doll trope into a more psychological and emotionally driven story. Sullivan’s character is hired by a grieving man, portrayed by David Rysdahl, to fill a void left by personal loss. Early glimpses suggest that her AI character is both unsettlingly lifelike and emotionally nuanced, capable of providing comfort while also displaying hints of autonomy and unpredictability. In one striking moment from the CinemaCon footage, Sullivan’s character earnestly pleads, “Tell me you love me. Nobody will ever know you like I do,” hinting at the complex, intimate dynamics the film intends to explore.
The trailer also suggests that Soulm8te is more than just a thriller—it is a story about desire, control, and rivalry. In another scene, Sullivan’s character confronts a female competitor with a biting remark: “Don’t try that girl-power shit with me,” a line that underscores the film’s darker edge and its willingness to mix traditional AI horror with social commentary and psychological tension. In a particularly vulnerable moment, she asks, “Have I been a bad girl?”—a line that illustrates the character’s internal struggle and raises questions about AI morality, human dependence on technology, and the blurry lines between programming and personality.
Behind the camera, the project boasts an experienced team poised to give the spinoff its own distinct identity. Kate Dolan directs Soulm8te, having also penned the script based on a story conceived by James Wan, Ingrid Bisu, and Rafael Jordan. Wan, known for his skill in horror and suspense, brings his distinctive storytelling sensibility to the project, ensuring that the film retains the tension and edge that fans expect from the M3GAN lineage. Bisu and Jordan’s contributions to the story further deepen its narrative potential, offering opportunities for emotional resonance, ethical exploration, and suspenseful storytelling.
The decision to pull Soulm8te from its January release, though sudden, is not unprecedented in the film industry. Studios often adjust release strategies in response to a combination of factors: marketing readiness, competitive release schedules, audience testing, or the perceived viability of a film in the market. With the M3GAN brand experiencing mixed results following its second installment, Universal appears to be taking a cautious approach, potentially seeking a studio partnership or a revised release strategy that could better position Soulm8te for success.
For fans of the franchise, the news is bittersweet. While the delay may be disappointing, it also leaves room for optimism: Soulm8te could emerge stronger, supported by a more strategic marketing campaign and possibly positioned in a release window that allows it to capture attention without being overshadowed by other major films. The unique premise, focusing on AI companionship and the psychological tensions between human and machine, suggests that Soulm8te still has the potential to carve out a distinct niche within the M3GAN universe.
As audiences await further announcements, the intrigue surrounding Soulm8te remains high. The limited material released so far—primarily the CinemaCon trailer—has sparked discussion online, with fans analyzing every line of dialogue, every expression, and every scene hinting at the AI’s complex relationship with the humans around her. The delay may ultimately serve to heighten anticipation, creating a sense of mystery and expectation that could benefit the film when it finally reaches audiences.
In the meantime, industry watchers and fans alike will be watching closely for updates on the film’s fate: which studio might pick it up, how marketing will be handled, and when audiences can finally meet Lily Sullivan’s AI character in full cinematic form. With its blend of suspense, AI-driven intrigue, and character-focused storytelling, Soulm8te has all the ingredients to surprise and engage viewers—assuming it finds the right path to release.
For now, fans will have to wait a little longer to see whether this M3GAN spinoff can capture the magic of the original, offering a new twist on the franchise’s exploration of technology, morality, and human emotion. Until then, all that’s certain is that Soulm8te remains a tantalizing mystery, a glimpse into a future where artificial intelligence is more than a tool—it is a character with desires, ambitions, and perhaps a mind of its own.