'Smile 3' Finds Its Director as Parker Finn Turns to 'Possession' Remake

Paramount has set David Bruckner to direct "Smile 3" and hired Nick Antosca to write the screenplay, taking over from franchise creator Parker Finn. The studio confirmed the move as the horror series, which has earned more than $350 million worldwide, heads into a third installment.

Finn created the series and will remain involved as a producer alongside Temple Hill, having pitched the framework for the third film. Jonathan Fass will executive produce.

Who is directing 'Smile 3'?

Bruckner's credits include the 2022 "Hellraiser" reboot, 2017's psychological thriller "The Ritual" and 2020's supernatural horror film "The Night House." He is currently writing and developing a reboot of the sci-fi horror classic "The Blob" for Warner Bros., as well as Universal's adaptation of "The Caretaker," starring Sydney Sweeney, and he is set to direct "Mice" for A24.

Antosca is best known for creating Apple's miniseries "Cape Fear" and co-creating Hulu's "The Act," as well as writing 2021's "Antlers" and the most recent Colleen Hoover adaptation "Verity."

What do we know about the story?

Plot details for the third "Smile" movie have not been revealed. 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.

Each "Smile" movie has functioned as a standalone sequel, with a separate story and new stars. That format means it is unclear who will appear in the threequel.

How much has the franchise earned?

The numbers explain Paramount's commitment. Finn wrote and directed 2022's "Smile" and the 2024 sequel "Smile 2."

• The original film, commissioned for streaming before pivoting to a theatrical release, became a sleeper hit with $105 million domestically and $217 million globally.
• "Smile 2" earned $69 million domestically and $139 million globally against a modest $28 million budget — roughly five times its production cost worldwide.
• Combined, the franchise has passed $350 million worldwide across just two films.

In plain terms: the series averages well over $175 million per film, an unusually strong return for mid-budget horror.

What is Parker Finn doing instead?

Although Finn is not spearheading "Smile 3," he is still working closely with Paramount. He signed a first-look deal with the studio after the first "Smile" became a theatrical success.

Finn is directing a remake of the 1981 supernatural thriller "Possession," starring Callum Turner and Margaret Qualley, set for release on June 11, 2027.

The handover keeps the franchise within a proven commercial system while freeing its creator for a marquee remake with a firm date on the calendar.