Paramount hires David Bruckner to direct Smile 3; Parker Finn becomes producer
Paramount has hired David Bruckner to direct a third Smile film, with Nick Antosca writing. Franchise creator Parker Finn, who directed the first two, stays on as a producer while directing a Possession remake.
Updated (version 2). New coverage since the last version from Screen Rant, The Hollywood Reporter.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Paramount has hired David Bruckner to direct Smile 3, with Nick Antosca writing the screenplay. VarietyLC “Paramount has hired David Bruckner to direct and Nick Antosca to write the screenplay.” Read at Variety ↗ DeadlineN “the studio announced David Bruckner (Hellraiser, The Night House) will helm the next film” Read at Deadline ↗ Mixed · 2They take over from Parker Finn, who created the series, wrote and directed the 2022 original and the 2024 sequel, and remains involved as a producer; Finn pitched the framework for the third film. VarietyLC “They’re taking over for Parker Finn, who created the series and will remain involved as a producer.” Read at Variety ↗ DeadlineN “he developed and pitched the framework for the trilogy-completing film, on which he serves as a producer with Temple Hill.” Read at Deadline ↗ Mixed · 2Deadline said Finn is absent because he is busy directing Paramount's Possession remake; Variety said that remake, a take on the 1981 supernatural thriller starring Callum Turner and Margaret Qualley, is set for release on June 11, 2027, and that Finn has a first-look deal with the studio. DeadlineN “as Finn is busy directing Paramount’s Possession remake.” Read at Deadline ↗ VarietyLC “Finn is directing a remake of the 1981 supernatural thriller “Possession,” starring Callum Turner and Margaret Qualley and set for June 11, 2027.” Read at Variety ↗
Centre · 1Jonathan Fass is executive producer, and Temple Hill is a producing company on the film, according to Deadline. DeadlineN “Jonathan Fass serves as executive producer.” Read at Deadline ↗ Left · 1Bruckner directed the 2022 Hellraiser reboot, The Ritual (2017) and The Night House (2020); Variety says he is also developing a reboot of The Blob for Warner Bros., Universal's The Caretaker and A24's Mice. VarietyLC “Bruckner’s credits include the 2022 “Hellraiser” reboot, 2017’s psychological thriller “The Ritual” and 2020’s supernatural horror film “The Night House.”” Read at Variety ↗ Left · 1The Hollywood Reporter adds that The Caretaker adapts Marcus Kliewer's book and stars Sydney Sweeney, and that Bruckner is attached to direct Mice for A24. The Hollywood ReporterLC “which is an adaptation of Marcus Kliewer’s book of the same name, starring Sydney Sweeney, and horror film Mice for A24.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗
Left · 1Antosca created Apple's miniseries Cape Fear and co-created Hulu's The Act, and wrote Antlers and Verity, according to Variety. VarietyLC “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.”” Read at Variety ↗ Mixed · 2The first Smile earned $105 million domestically and $217 million globally; Smile 2 earned $69 million domestically and $139 million globally on a $28 million budget, taking the franchise past $350 million worldwide. VarietyLC “The original film, which was commissioned for streaming before pivoting to a theatrical release, became a sleeper hit with $105 million domestically and $217 million globally.” Read at Variety ↗ DeadlineN “Smile 2 pushed the franchise’s global gross past $350M.” Read at Deadline ↗ Mixed · 2Plot details and casting are not announced; as each film has had a separate story and new stars, it is unclear who will appear. Variety broke the news, as Deadline acknowledged. DeadlineN “Variety was first to break the news of Bruckner’s involvement.” Read at Deadline ↗ VarietyLC “Plot details for the third “Smile” movie haven’t been revealed.” Read at Variety ↗
Left · 1The Hollywood Reporter dates Finn's first-look deal with Paramount to 2023 and quotes him, from an interview after Smile 2, saying future Smile films could go "bigger and more off the rails" while keeping a "human, character-driven, intimate" core. The Hollywood ReporterLC “Finn signed a first-look deal with Paramount Pictures in 2023.”“I love this idea that potential future iterations of Smile could go bigger and more off the rails and even crazier and more unhinged” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Centre · 2Deadline said the studio announced the hire on Wednesday; Screen Rant's report relays Variety's, and The Hollywood Reporter also lists Fass as executive producer. DeadlineN “On Wednesday, the studio announced David Bruckner” Read at Deadline ↗ Screen RantN “Variety now reports that Paramount has tapped David Bruckner to direct Smile 3” Read at Screen Rant ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left2 outlets
- Framing
- Variety's exclusive and The Hollywood Reporter's follow-up lead with the hire and Bruckner's genre credentials, with Finn's Possession work and producer role as context.
- Emphasis
- Credits, box-office figures, Finn's first-look deal; THR adds a Finn interview quote on the franchise's future.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither names Temple Hill; Variety does not name Fass.
- Charged language
- “Put on a happy face”
- For example
-
“Put on a happy face, because “Smile 3” is officially in the works.” — Variety
“David Bruckner is preparing to make horror fans smile” — The Hollywood Reporter
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Deadline and Screen Rant frame the hire around Finn's absence or stepping back, citing his Possession work.
- Emphasis
- Deadline: production credits and plot recaps. Screen Rant: franchise premise, relaying Variety.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Less box-office detail and no Bruckner upcoming projects; Screen Rant gives no production credits.
- Charged language
- “Amid Parker Finn’s Absence”“Franchise Creator Steps Back”
- For example
-
“Despite Finn’s absence after writing and directing the first two films” — Deadline
“The next installment in the Smile franchise is finally moving forward, but it is with a new director as creator Parker Finn steps back.” — Screen Rant
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Paramount hired David Bruckner to direct Smile 3 with Nick Antosca writing.
- Parker Finn directed the first two films and stays on as a producer, having pitched the third film's framework.
- Finn is directing a Possession remake for Paramount.
- The franchise has grossed over $350 million worldwide.
-
Parker Finn is not directing Smile 3 because he is directing Paramount's Possession remake.
Supported- Supports 3
- Variety, Deadline, Screen Rant
- Reports 1
- The Hollywood Reporter
-
Parker Finn pitched the framework for Smile 3 and stays on as a producer.
Reported- Reports 4
- The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Deadline, Screen Rant
Paramount organisation
Announced Bruckner as director of a third Smile film.
“On Wednesday, the studio announced David Bruckner (Hellraiser, The Night House) will helm the next film” — Deadline
Parker Finn person
Remains a producer on Smile 3 after pitching its framework, while directing the Possession remake.
“(Finn pitched the framework for the third installment.)” — Variety
David Bruckner person
Hired to direct Smile 3; also has several other projects in development.
“Bruckner is particularly in demand as of late” — Variety
Left2 articles
-
Celebratory Exclusive announcement with promotional tone and detailed commercial context for the franchise.
-
David Bruckner Set to Direct ‘Smile 3’
Neutral Straight hiring report that stresses Finn's continued involvement and adds his earlier comments on the franchise's direction.
Centre2 articles
-
‘Smile 3’ Taps ‘Hellraiser’ Director David Bruckner Amid Parker Finn’s Absence
Neutral Brief follow-up that foregrounds Finn's absence and production credits, and credits Variety with the scoop.
-
Smile 3 Officially Moves Forward With New Director As Franchise Creator Steps Back
Neutral Short rewrite of Variety's scoop that presents Finn as stepping back while producing.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 29 Oct 00:02 First VarietyLC ‘Smile 3’ Sets David Bruckner to Direct While Franchise Creator Parker Finn Helms ‘Possession’ Remake (EXCLUSIVE)
- 29 Oct 00:22 +20m DeadlineN ‘Smile 3’ Taps ‘Hellraiser’ Director David Bruckner Amid Parker Finn’s Absence
- 29 Oct 00:39 +37m Screen RantN Smile 3 Officially Moves Forward With New Director As Franchise Creator Steps Back
- 29 Oct 00:53 +52m The Hollywood ReporterLC David Bruckner Set to Direct ‘Smile 3’
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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