Confirmed: Bryan Bertino Back for Strangers 2

As is the case with most horror flicks these days, Rogue Pictures is currently prepping a sequel to The Strangers. Shortly after the movie opened sequel talk hit the net, with the only real question being - would writer-director Bryan Bertino return?

Variety has now confirmed that Bertino will indeed be writing the sequel with production being slated for early 2009. At this time it’s still unclear if Bertino will also helm the movie, but the expectation is that Liv Tyler, along with several of the original villains, will return.

The Strangers became Rogue’s first breakout hit, and the genre division of Focus Features is approaching the sequel as a franchise that could have the legs of Saw or Scream. Budgeted at $9 million, the film grossed $54 million domestically in a highly competitive summer release slot. It has just begun an international rollout that expands to the U.K. this Friday.

Bertino recently signed a two-picture deal with Rogue. He’s also also scripting to direct Black, a character-driven thriller with supernatural elements, and is rewriting to direct the thriller Alone.