Smile 3 Confirmed: New Director and Star Writer Take Over the Hit Horror Franchise

Contemporary horror cinema is preparing for a new chapter in a saga that has deeply unsettled audiences. With over two million tickets sold in France and an impressive global box office haul of 355 million dollars, the Smile franchise has established itself as an essential genre phenomenon. Following this massive theatrical success, Paramount has officially greenlit a third installment, promising to extend the nightmare of malevolent grins.

A Passing of the Torch Behind the Camera

While the first two films bore the distinct stamp of Parker Finn, who handled both writing and directing duties, the filmmaker is stepping aside for this new project. Heavily occupied with his upcoming remake of Possession, Parker Finn is handing over the directorial reins to David Bruckner. The latter is no stranger to visual dread, having proven his expertise with acclaimed horror features such as The Ritual, The Night House, and the Hellraiser remake.

A Top-Tier Creative Team

However, the original creative force is not leaving the project entirely. Parker Finn will remain involved as a producer and laid out the core storyline for this third chapter. To flesh out the script, Paramount hired Nick Antosca. The prolific writer is highly in demand, having recently penned scripts for the Apple TV+ series Cape Fear and the feature film Verity starring Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson.

What Do We Know So Far?

For now, strict secrecy surrounds the exact plot of this upcoming third film. Fans will recall that the first movie followed a psychiatrist terrorized by an entity transmitted through smiles, while the sequel shifted focus to a pop star. No official release date has been announced by Paramount yet, leaving horror fans plenty of time to speculate.