Michael K. Williams, Carmen Ejogo, and More Join 'The Purge 2'

Last summer's horror smash The Purge had a brilliant central idea that seemed ready made for further exploration. Basically one day a year all laws against violent crime are lifted, so that people can get all of the anger and hatred out of their system. The $3M-budgeted flick cranked out $90M, another low budget smash for Blumhouse Productions, and a sequel was quickly ordered with returning writer/director James DeMonaco. Now the cast continues to come together with four new additions, joining the previously cast Frank Grillo.

THR reports Michael K. Williams, Zach Gilford, Carmen Ejogo, and Kiele Sanchez have joined the film, which will take place in a similar setting as the prior film, although as Jason Blum told us some months ago it will be on a much larger canvas and go deeper into some of the political themes hinted at.  Williams is of course best known for HBO's Boardwalk Empire and The Wire, also landing a small part in 12 Years a Slave. Ejogo turned heads in last year's Sparkle remake, while Gilford is probably recognized from his years on Friday Night Lights. Sanchez starred in the deceptively brilliant A Perfect Getaway but she'll always just be the one who got buried alive on Lost because fans hated her character.  She currently stars in The Glades, a show that always seems interesting but not enough to actually follow.

The Purge 2 opens next year on June 20th 2014.