We knew it was taking the story forward a few years, and we knew it had a sub-title, but we didn't yet know any other concrete details about Hammer's **The Woman In Black: Angels Of Death. That's now changed however, with the reveal of the full set-up.
The sequel to James Watkins' scare-fest takes place during World War II, when Eel Marsh House has been seized by the British government and turned into a military mental hospital. The psychic energy generated by an influx of psychologically disturbed patients, shall we say, doesn't go unnoticed by the malevolent black-clad, incorporeal incumbent.
Our protagonist this time around is Eve, a psychiatric nurse sent to work at the house, who soon realises she's got more to deal with than shellshocked squaddies.
Angels Of Death was green-lit back in April, in the wake of the first film scoring box-office results that pleasantly surprised everyone. There was never a follow-up to The Woman In Black in book-form, but the new story has been suggested and developed for Hammer by original author Susan Hill. Simon Oakes, Hammer's CEO, says, "We are proud and honoured to be working with Susan again on... a wonderful new tale every bit as atmospheric and terrifying as its predecessor."
The actual screenplay this time is by Jon Croker, taking a step-up from his position as story editor first time around. There's no director, cast or start-date yet, but we'll keep you posted.