Smile 2 director Parker Finn has teased plans for more sequels in the growing horror franchise following the surprise success of the initial movie. The first film in the series, Smile, ended up becoming a shocking box office hit, earning $217.4 million worldwide against a $17 million budget. This coupled with a positive critical response resulted in the upcoming Smile 2, which will arrive in theaters on October 18. The story follows pop singer Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) as she becomes a victim of the Smile curse just as she's about to embark on a world tour of performances.
Speaking with Screen Rant, Finn explained there were many directions the horror franchise could take after Smile 2, indicating this might not be the final film. The director and writer explained how strong characters and themes will determine how a follow-up will happen, saying he's hoping viewers will enjoy the direction of the sequel and the future it sets up. Check out what Finn had to say below:
I do think that there are so many exciting places that Smile could go. For me, it's still always about wanting to do something thematically rich that's centered on character stories. I love where this film goes, and right now I'm excited for audiences to see Smile 2. Hopefully, if they embrace it, I think that there could be a really interesting future for Smile.
What Parker Finn's Statements Mean For More Smile Movies
Smile 2 Might Just Be The Beginning
The cast of Smile 2 consists of plenty of characters adding depth to the franchise, potentially shining a new light on the film series' curse. Key characters aside from Scott are the return of Kyle Gallner as Joel, who was cursed by the Smile Entity at the end of Smile, and Lukas Gage as Lewis Fregoli, who kills himself in front of Skye, giving her the curse. Peter Jacobson is also playing a character named Morris, who will seemingly be helping the protagonist try and get rid of the curse before it can kill her and be passed on.
Where To Watch Smile 2: Showtimes & Streaming Status
Two years after the original horror movie, Smile 2 is now out, and there are different options for where to watch the sequel in theaters or at home.
These three secondary characters in particular could hold the key to expanding the franchise, depending on how involved they are in the overarching storyline. Given the positive first impressions of Smile 2, praising the film as better than the first, this could just be the beginning of Finn's franchise getting wider lore and exploration. If the sequel is able to mimic the original's box office success, it can prove the longevity of the horror franchise, justifying more movies getting made as the story follows new and interesting characters and storylines.
Our Take On More Movies After Smile 2
Smile 3 Can Explore The Consequences Of The Sequel
While it's still unclear what will happen by the time Smile 2 ends, Finn's statement indicates a new direction for the franchise could be in store after the sequel. While it's not yet clear what direction this could be, Skye being a pop star could result in her passing on the curse to multiple fans by the end. The movie could lay the groundwork for a much more disastrous version of the curse as it becomes more widespread. Another option is the protagonist surviving, the film offering a creative way for the curse to continue without impacting her.
The Smile movies are based on Finn's 2020 short film Laura Hasn't Slept, which also serves as a prequel to the first movie.
