Irish director Kate Dolan will direct Soulm8te, a spin-off of 2022 sci-fi horror M3GAN. Earlier this year, Dolan won the IFTA for Best Director - Television Drama for her work on Kin.
Kate Dolan (You Are Not My Mother) will direct Soulm8te, an erotic thriller with a technological twist that expands the M3GAN universe. Atomic Monster and Blumhouse are developing the project, which Universal has slated for January 2nd, 2026.
Soulm8te follows a man who “acquires an Artificially Intelligent android to cope with the loss of his recently deceased wife,” according to the film’s synopsis. “In an attempt to create a truly sentient partner, he inadvertently turns a harmless lovebot into a deadly soulmate.” The film is likened to “90s domestic thrillers but with a modern, technological twist.”
Dolan rewrote an original draft written by Rafael Jordan (Salvage Marines), with the story by James Wan, Ingrid Bisu and Jordan.
“Fundamentally, I view this film as an exploration of relationships and loneliness,” said Dolan about the new project. “Despite technological advances, there are enduring human truths we cannot escape, and I am looking forward to delving into those depths.”
Wan and Jason Blum will produce, with Michael Clear and Judson Scott executive producing for Wan’s Atomic Monster banner, along with Bisu. Alayna Glasthal will oversee the project on behalf of Atomic Monster.
M3GAN grossed more than $181 million at the box office upon its release in 2022, and its sequel, M3GAN 2.0, is set to release next year.
Speaking about Soulm8te, Wan said: “We’re excited to partner with Kate to bring this story to life with her unique cinematic vision and point of view.”