The Purge creator James DeMonaco has officially wrapped the script for the franchise’s sixth installment—and this time, he’s had some help from a very personal collaborator.

Speaking with Bloody Disgusting, DeMonaco revealed that he co-wrote the new entry with his wife and has already submitted the script to producer Jason Blum.

“I just finished a script. My producer, Sébastien Lemercier, has read multiple drafts, given me notes. We just handed it to Jason [Blum],” DeMonaco said.

“I’m really happy with it. I hope they like it. I think it’s cool and fun. We’re hoping to shoot next year, maybe even late this year if everything lines up. But now it’s with the powers that be.”

DeMonaco has written every film in the Purge series—from the original 2013 entry to The Forever Purge in 2021—and directed the first three. He also created USA Network’s short-lived The Purge series, which ran for two seasons between 2018 and 2019.

And for fans eager to see familiar faces return to purge night, DeMonaco teased that a major fan-favorite character is coming back.

“People’s favorite character might be coming back,” he hinted. “I won’t say who, but someone’s coming back who I love and I think the audience loves.”

That strongly points to Frank Grillo, who played anti-hero Sgt. Leo Barnes in Anarchy and Election Year—a standout among the series’ chaotic ensemble of survivors.

DeMonaco also revealed that the new film will put a spotlight on powerful female leads.

“We’ve had some great women in the past, but this one introduces real warrior women—strong, incredible female heroes we haven’t quite explored on purge night,” he said.

“Writing this with my wife brought a new perspective. It’s been a lot of fun creatively.”

Interestingly, the idea for The Purge originally came from DeMonaco’s wife after a road rage incident—making this a full-circle moment in the franchise’s evolution.

While fans await more news on the next Purge, DeMonaco’s latest horror film, The Home, hits theaters on July 25.