Preview:
- ‘The Night House’s David Bruckner will direct ‘Smile 3.’
- Nick Antosca is aboard to write the script.
- ‘Smile’ creator Parker Finn is busy elsewhere but will be a producer.
Paramount wants to keep on ‘Smile’-ing.
Yet while the studio is looking to extend the horror franchisee with a third outing, original writer/director Parker Finn, who handled the first two entries, is busy (more on that below).
So, per Variety, a replacement has been drafted in –– or rather replacements. ‘The Night House’ director David Bruckner will now oversee ‘Smile 3.’
And while Finn pulled double duty on the other movies, the script for this one will come from ‘Cape Fear’ TV showrunner Nick Antosca. Worry not, though, fans of creepy grinning creatures… Finn will be a producer on this one.
Related Article: Rosemarie DeWitt and Director Parker Finn Talk ‘Smile 2’ Digital Release
What’s the story of ‘Smile’?
The first film stars Sosie Bacon as a therapist who becomes haunted by hallucinations after witnessing a patient die. In the second, Naomi Scott plays a pop singer who begins to experience a series of disturbing events as she embarks on tour.
So far, the ‘Smile’ movies have been almost totally stand-alone (with one link between them), so there are no details on what will happen in this one yet.
Why is Parker Finn not returning for more ‘Smile’?
There’s no conspiracy here –– Finn has been exploring his options off the back of the ‘Smile’ franchise’s success ($350 million globally so far).
And he’s still working with Paramount, currently rolling the cameras on a remake of the 1981 supernatural thriller ‘Possession,’ starring Callum Turner and Margaret Qualley. It’s on track to be released on June 11th next year.
