‘Smile 3’ Officially Moves Forward With New Director in Major Franchise Shakeup

The Smile franchise quickly cemented itself as a cornerstone of modern horror, transforming a simple wide grin into a terrifying symbol of trauma. Created by filmmaker Parker Finn, the original 2022 film became an overnight box office phenomenon, instantly establishing a deeply unsettling new lore in the genre. He then successfully doubled down on the dread with 2024’s Smile 2, which significantly raised the stakes and delivered a shocking climax that made a continuation inevitable.

Now, Paramount Pictures is officially pushing ahead with Smile 3, but just as the franchise prepares to expand its curse, a major shake-up behind the scenes is set to take the upcoming threequel in an entirely new direction. For a property so intricately tied to a singular creative vision, this unexpected transition marks a pivotal turning point that will fundamentally reshape how the next nightmare unfolds.

According to an exclusive report by Variety, celebrated horror veteran David Bruckner has officially signed on to direct Smile 3, bringing a fresh creative eye to the series. Bruckner, who is known for his tension-filled work on The Night House and the Hellraiser reboot, will collaborate with screenwriter Nick Antosca, who is penning the script following his most recent work on the feature adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s psychological thriller Verity.

Finn, who created and helmed the first two installments of the Smile franchise, is vacating the director’s chair for Smile 3 as he focuses on directing his upcoming remake of the 1981 supernatural thriller Possession. Despite stepping back from his usual duties, Finn will remain onboard as a producer alongside Temple Hill, ensuring that his foundational story framework stays intact for a series that has already grossed over $350 million worldwide.

While the specific plot details for Smile 3 are currently under wraps, Finn has already provided the roadmap for the next chapter, having pitched the framework that Bruckner and Antosca will presumably build upon. The new creative duo will have to navigate the jaw-dropping fallout of Smile 2, which concluded with the curse being unleashed on a massive public scale in front of a packed arena crowd, setting up an unprecedented level of widespread chaos.

Despite the massive shift behind the scenes, the franchise appears to be in incredibly safe hands with Bruckner, whose distinct stylistic flair has earned him deep respect within the horror community. Known for his ability to blend visceral dread with complex psychological themes, he has consistently demonstrated a masterful command over the exact type of tension Smile thrives on.

Bruckner steps into the Smile universe amidst a packed schedule of his own, as he remains attached to write and develop a reboot of the sci-fi horror classic The Blob. He is also onboard to helm the Sydney Sweeney supernatural thriller The Caretaker, and the upcoming horror film Mice for A24. His latest commitment injects a major new priority into his crowded development slate, leaving audiences eager to see where exactly the studio places Smile 3 on its future release calendar.