Michael Johnston has confirmed that fans shouldn’t hold their breath for an Obsession sequel — at least not anytime soon — despite the indie horror film shattering box office records and becoming one of the biggest surprises of 2026. In an exclusive clip from the July 14 episode of the I’ve Never Said This Before podcast, the 30-year-old actor reflected on the movie’s unexpected success while addressing the possibility of revisiting the story.

“Look, it’s a magical world. Anything can happen. I would love that,” Johnston said when asked about a potential follow-up. “I will say, there’s no plan for that. Also, I don’t know how many people would want Bear back. I think the general consensus is that he kind of got what he deserved.”

Johnston joked that his own sequel idea would center on Bear’s parents returning to town, asking “What happened?” before accidentally stepping on the mysterious willow themselves. Still, he expressed enthusiasm for writer-director Curry Barker’s vision of turning the franchise into an anthology series with completely different stories. “Curry’s idea of having it be an anthology series is really, really cool,” Johnston said. “All different stories. I’d love to see a wish gone right.”

The comments come after Obsession became one of the year’s biggest independent horror success stories. The supernatural thriller, which follows a hopeless romantic whose wish to win over his crush comes true after breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” — only to discover terrifying consequences — opened in theaters on May 15 and quickly exceeded all expectations.

After two months in release, the film has grossed an impressive over $400 million worldwide, including more than $245 million domestically and $157 million internationally, according to Variety. Produced on a reported $750,000 budget over just 20 days, its financial success has been nothing short of extraordinary for an original horror movie.

Elsewhere in the interview, Johnston reflected on one of the movie’s central questions: whether Nikki, played by Inde Navarrette, ever truly loved Bear. “That’s a great question, and I never even asked myself that until way after we were done shooting,” he admitted. Looking back, Johnston said Bear’s deep lack of confidence made him doubt Nikki’s feelings. After filming wrapped, conversations with Navarrette and Barker gave him a new perspective. Navarrette played Nikki as someone who wanted Bear to be honest but ultimately lost patience when he couldn’t.

Johnston also revealed that audiences almost saw a very different ending. “There are a couple different moments that we played with,” he said. One version featured Nikki’s death with a gruesome practical blood splatter effect. That ending was ultimately cut in favor of the version where Nikki survives, with Navarrette’s emotional final scene captured in just one take.

The film’s breakout success has resonated deeply with Navarrette as well. She previously told PEOPLE she has intentionally stayed away from the online conversation surrounding the movie despite its growing popularity. “It’s the beginning of a new process and a new step in my career, and I really want to make sure that I’m protecting myself first while also giving thanks to everybody who loves the movie,” Navarrette said. Avoiding social media has made meeting fans in person even more meaningful. “Whatever I get in person, then it allows me to physically see that person, receive what they’re saying and to say ‘thank you’ to them directly,” she added.

Obsession has not only shattered records as the highest-grossing original horror movie of the century but has also sparked conversations about love, obsession, identity, and the dangers of getting exactly what you wish for. Johnston’s comments suggest that while the door isn’t entirely closed on future stories in this universe, Barker’s anthology approach could offer fresh, standalone tales rather than a traditional sequel.

For now, fans will have to content themselves with the original’s twists, emotional performances, and that unforgettable final scene. As Johnston put it, the world of Obsession remains magical — and anything can still happen.