Emilio Estevez Dreams Up a 'Maximum Overdrive' Sequel

Emilio Estevez, star of the cult classic *Maximum Overdrive*, recently revealed that he penned a sequel to Stephen King's infamous film. King's 1986 directorial debut, known for its over-the-top premise and campy style, has surprisingly inspired Estevez to revisit the world of killer machines. Despite King himself disowning the film, *Maximum Overdrive* has gained a devoted following over the years.

Estevez shared his inspiration during an interview on the *Happy, Sad, Confused* podcast. The actor stated, "I started to imagine what a sequel to *Maximum Overdrive* would look like, and during the [2023 Hollywood] strike, I wrote one." He admitted he doesn't own the rights, but that didn't stop him from creating a script for a potential follow-up.

A Diner of Horrors Estevez's concept for the sequel sounds just as wild as the original. The story centers around Bill, Estevez's character from the first film, who now owns a diner.

"I created an insane world," Estevez explained. "It takes place in a diner… Bill was a short order cook. So now in the movie, it opens with, he's got his own diner. He's got a young daughter, his crew, his people, and Guy Fieri is coming to do *Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives* on the day the world falls apart, and machines turn. And it was a cool idea!" The thought of Guy Fieri amidst a machine uprising certainly adds a bizarre and humorous twist.

The Legacy of *Maximum Overdrive* The original *Maximum Overdrive*, adapted from King's short story "Trucks," depicts a group of people trapped in a diner as everyday machines come to life and turn murderous. The film, starring Estevez, Laura Harrington, Pat Hingle, and Yeardley Smith, is memorable for its absurd deaths, like being crushed by a vending machine or a steamroller. It also features a hard-rocking soundtrack by AC/DC.

Despite its cult following, *Maximum Overdrive* is widely considered one of King's worst projects. King himself has admitted to being under the influence of cocaine and alcohol during production, leading him to swear off directing altogether. The rights to *Maximum Overdrive* are currently held by the estate of Dino De Laurentiis. Whether Estevez's sequel will ever materialize remains to be seen, but the idea of more truck-based mayhem is certainly intriguing for fans of the original's unique brand of horror.