‘Sharknado’ Returns! Seventh Film in B-Movie Franchise in the Works (EXCLUSIVE)

Killer sharks and waterspouts are set to reunite on screen once again.

“Sharknado” — the hit B-movie franchise that supposedly wrapped in 2018 after six increasingly ludicrous installments — is coming back for more cheesy insanity, Variety can reveal.

The Asylum, which landed an unexpected hit with its low-budget thriller about a tornado that sucked up great whites and hammerheads and spat them out over Los Angeles, has announced that it is in development on “Sharknado Origins.” Production is slated to begin later this year with director Anthony Ferrante returning to the helm. Casting will be announced soon, with a summer 2026 release eyed.

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As the title suggests, the film will take place before 2013’s first “Sharknado,” and is set to introduce audiences to a teenage Fin (played by Ian Ziering in the original six movies) and April (who was played by Tara Reid). The two cross paths during a perfect beach summer, where sparks immediately fly. But just as Fin is about to seal the moment with a promise ring, the sky darkens, a massive funnel cloud forms, and — you’ve guessed it — sharks dramatically erupt from the ocean. Thus, the very first Sharknado is born — because, as the description reads, “nothing says young love like airborne predators.”

The original “Sharknado” — which first began life as a throwaway line in a pitch session during the American Film Market — became a surprise cultural phenomenon after debuting on Syfy on July 11 2013 thanks to its preposterous premise, a social media frenzy and a growing haul of celebrity fans. Made for just $1 million, the film rode a wave that would produce five sequels and three spinoffs, and amass an impressive lineup of cameos including Olivia Newton-John, Al Roker, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jerry Springer, Ann Coulter, Jackie Collins, George R.R. Martin and David Hasselhoff.

Following “Sharknado” came “Sharknado 2: The Second One,” which drew the series’ biggest audience of approximately 3.9 million viewers, followed by “Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!,” “Sharknado: The 4th Awakens,” “Sharknado 5: Global Swarming,” and eventually 2018’s “The Last Sharknado.”

Alongside its hit shark franchise, The Asylum is best known for its signature “mockbuster” films timed to major studio releases (it’s currently selling “The Odyssey” at this year’s AFM). Their unexpected rise has even inspired a new documentary, “Mockbuster,” which dives into the studio’s fast-and-loose (and decidedly low-budget) filmmaking culture. The film recently won the audience award at the Adelaide Film Festival, with Giant Pictures set to release it in the U.S. early next year and repping it to buyers at the AFM.

See the first teaser ad for “Sharknado Origins” below