The Thinning 3

***The Thinning*** and ***The Thinning: New World Order*** are social science fiction thriller web films released for YouTube Premium (then known as YouTube Red) in 2016 and 2018 respectively; they are both directed by Michael Gallagher. The films take place in a dystopian United States where an amplitude test is implemented to kill off students who fail the test as a way to cut down the population by 5% as required by the United Nations. The film stars controversial YouTuber Logan Paul as Blake Redding (the protaganist) and actress Peyton List as Laina Michaels who by the second film, is working for a rebellion group with the goal of repealing the Thinning and stopping Blake's father, Dean and Assuru Global CEO Georgina Preston from ending democracy in the country. The film received mixed to negative reviews from critics but has maintained somewhat of a fan base.

After the cliffhanger ending in *New World Order*, many fans have demanded for a third film to conclude the story (since the first one also ended off in a similar fashion) and some (including clickbait media websites) even speculated if a third film was being produced or even has a release date. To this day, it isn't confirmed if a third Thinning film was cancelled or in production limbo with there being little to no mention/updates of the film.

## Plot

The film would've taken place either immediately after the events of *New World Order* or have a potential timeskip considering the amount of years it has been since the release of *New World Order.* It would've followed Blake, Laina, Ellie (Lia Marie Johnson), and Jack Prescott (Rome Flynn) the leader of the anti-Thinning resistance group facing against Dean Redding and Georgina Preston who won the Presidential Election and enacted a political purge against any Redding and Thinning dissidents. It's possible that it may follow the same structure with other young adult dystopian novels/films like *Mockingjay* for *The Hunger Games* or other dystopian films like *The Purge: Election Year* (2016).

## Will It Exist Or Not?

* Despite calls and demands by fans of the films for a third film, Michael Gallagher has made little no mention of it aside from a joke Tweet stating "THE THINNING 3: HOMESCHOOLED INDEFINITELY" referencing schools moving towards online learning as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It seems that Michael Gallagher has moved on to new projects.
* With Logan Paul getting into controversy again with an alledged cryptocurrency scam, it's unlikely YouTube would want him back for another film. *The Thinning: New World Order* was briefly shelved around 2017-2018 following Logan Paul's infamous Japanese suicide forest video although it was released after high demand from fans. He has also not mentioned anything about the films since.
* The social media accounts for *The Thinning* films have been radio silent since the release of *New World Order* in 2018. To this day, fans have commented on their last posts demanding for a third film.
* The films served as political commentary for the state of U.S. politics around 2016 and 2018 with Dean Redding (who is Governor of Texas in the first film) being a potential allegory for then-U.S. president Donald Trump and the ending of *New World Order* serving somewhat as a representation of fears for what could happen to U.S. democracy under Trump. Because of the film's subject matter and political allusions, there's a chance that a third film focusing on overthrowing Redding and Georgina would not go well with the public due to the current divisive political climate in the U.S. following the 2020 Presidential Election. A third film might be seen as "distasteful" or inappropriate during this political climate.
* The rest of the cast haven't mentioned much of the films since then.
* The shutdown of YouTube Originals might result in a potential third film needing to be picked up by streaming distributors for release like Netflix or Amazon Prime.
* Searching "The Thinning 3" on Google will give you a film information box (as seen for other films) including cast and director as if the film was being made despite no word on it.

Adding all the factors of Gallagher moving on to new projects, Logan Paul getting into controversy once again, and an unsuitable political climate in the U.S, there is a chance a third *Thinning* film might not be released. However, there still remains a slim possibility of Gallagher revisiting the films and giving them a proper conclusion (although once again, very unlikely).

## External Links

https://twitter.com/TotallySketch/status/1249841347181211648