Smile 3 Gets New Director After Franchise Hits $350 Million

Paramount has named David Bruckner as the director for Smile 3, marking a creative shift for the horror franchise that has grossed over $350 million worldwide. The studio confirmed the hiring on Wednesday, positioning the new film as the next step in a series that has become one of the most profitable in recent genre cinema.

The financial performance of the franchise drives this decision. The first film, released in 2022, became the top-grossing original horror movie of that year. The sequel, released in 2024, extended that momentum, pushing the total global revenue past the $350 million mark. These numbers have cemented the brand as a reliable commercial engine for Paramount.

Bruckner is known for directing the 2022 Hellraiser remake for Hulu. His filmography also includes The Night House and The Ritual. He is currently attached to several other projects, including Universal's adaptation of The Caretaker and A24's horror film Mice. He is also writing a remake of The Blob.

Parker Finn, who created the series and directed the first two entries, will step back from the director's chair but remain involved in the production. Finn developed the concept for the third film and pitched it to the studio. He will serve as a producer for the project. Nick Antosca has been hired to write the screenplay, while Jonathan Fass will act as executive producer.

Finn signed a first-look deal with Paramount in 2023. He is currently directing the studio's remake of Possession, which stars Callum Turner and Margaret Qualley. That film is scheduled for release on June 11, 2027. His departure from directing Smile 3 allows him to focus on that upcoming release while still guiding the new chapter.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter following the release of the second film, Finn discussed the potential direction for future entries. He expressed a desire for the series to become "bigger and more off the rails and even crazier and more unhinged." He emphasized that while the scope could expand, the stories must retain their "real human, character-driven, intimate nature."

The franchise continues to evolve under new leadership. Bruckner's arrival signals a new phase for the series, which has maintained strong audience engagement across two installments. The studio is moving forward with production plans for the third film, with the screenplay in development.