Originally, Shady Dawn Pictures had another film on the slate for summer 2016 and Ryan had no plans for a sequel to "The Girl in the Cornfield". A viewer who screened a Rough Cut made an off-hand remark about a potential sequel and that later inspired Callaway to start writing in February after getting the go-ahead from Producer Sabine Becker. Casting was initially finalized on May 13th, the day the original movie was released. Shooting began in late June.
To hide the news of the sequel "The Rulers of the Darkness" and "Where Demons Dwell" were used as working titles during casting and early promotion for the film.
The entire Russo Family was recast by August with Michelle Lulic, Alex Santoleri, and Hiram Ortiz taking over as Adelaide, Abigail and Jack Russo respectively.