David Bruckner to Direct Smile 3 as Parker Finn Steps Back to Produce

Paramount Pictures has confirmed that David Bruckner will direct the third film in the Smile horror franchise. The announcement, made on Wednesday, marks a significant change in the creative leadership of the series, which has become one of the most successful original horror franchises in recent years. Bruckner, known for directing the 2022 Hellraiser reboot, will helm the follow-up to the 2024 sequel Smile 2. The script for the new installment is being written by Nick Antosca, who is also recognized for his work on Verity and Cape Fear.

Background

Parker Finn, who created, wrote, and directed the first two entries in the franchise, is not directing the third film. Instead, Finn developed and pitched the framework for the upcoming movie and will remain involved in the production as a producer through his company Temple Hill. Jonathan Fass is attached to serve as an executive producer on the project. Finn’s departure from the director’s chair is attributed to his current commitment to directing Paramount’s remake of Possession, which stars Callum Turner and Margaret Qualley and is scheduled for release on June 11, 2027. Finn signed a first-look deal with Paramount Pictures in 2023, which facilitated his continued involvement in the studio’s horror slate.

The Smile franchise has achieved substantial commercial success since its inception. The original 2022 film emerged as the top-grossing original horror film of that year. The release of Smile 2 in 2024 pushed the franchise’s worldwide gross past $350 million. In the first film, Sosie Bacon portrayed Dr. Rose Cotter, a character who fled a supernatural entity that haunts its victims. The 2024 sequel shifted focus to Naomi Scott, who played pop star Skye Riley, inheriting the entity’s curse. In interviews following the release of the second film, Finn expressed a desire for future iterations to become "bigger" and "more off the rails," while maintaining a character-driven and intimate narrative style.

Why it matters

The appointment of Bruckner signals a shift in the franchise’s visual and tonal direction, as he brings a distinct style to the project. Bruckner’s recent work includes The Night House and The Ritual, as well as the Hulu series Hellraiser. Beyond Smile 3, Bruckner is currently attached to direct Universal Pictures’ The Caretaker, an adaptation of Marcus Kliewer’s book starring Sydney Sweeney, and the A24 horror film Mice. He is also writing and developing a remake of The Blob. For fans and the industry, this transition highlights the growing scale of the Smile franchise, which has now generated over $350 million globally. The involvement of Finn as a producer ensures that the original creator’s vision for the story’s framework remains central to the production, even as a new director takes the helm. The franchise’s financial performance has made it a priority for Paramount, which is likely seeking to capitalize on the established audience base while exploring new creative avenues.

What happens next

With the director and screenwriter now confirmed, the production of Smile 3 is expected to move forward in the development phase. No specific release date has been announced for the third installment. Finn will continue to focus on his directorial duties for the Possession remake, which is slated for a mid-2027 release. The collaboration between Bruckner and Antosca will determine the final shape of the film, building upon the narrative foundation established by Finn. The studio has not provided further details on the plot or casting for the new entry, leaving anticipation for future announcements regarding the specific story elements that will expand the supernatural lore introduced in the previous two films.