Just asSmile 2diverged from the first film’s smaller scale narrative by focusing on a pop star,the future of the franchise could go in many different directions. That is officially the case, according to director Parker Finn, who recently sat down withScreen Rantto tease the future of his IP. After the smash-hit success of the first film, Finn addresses the “exciting” prospect of doing more sequels down the line. His words:
“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.”
The firstSmilefilm worked so well because it tooka potentially silly concept seriously. And, more importantly, it kept the focus on character building. The audience found themselves feeling close to Sosie Bacon and Caitlin Stasey’s characters because they felt like real people, not cookie-cutter horror movie archetypes. The terrific acting from all involved certainly helped cement the film’s effect.
That strength looks to hold steady in the upcoming sequel,Smile 2. Judging by Finn’s words, character building will always be a priority in the series, no matter how many installments there are. That promise shouldget any fan excitedabout the future of the IP.However, we’ll have to see first if audiences choose to see the second film. The chances are good, especially considering horror is doing quite well right now, withTerrifier 3’s taking the crownat the weekend box office against DC’s blockbusterJokersequel. Here’s hoping tormented pop star Skye Riley can keep Art the Clown’s genre-winning streak going.
Will Smile 2 Earn Enough to Warrant Another Sequel?
WhenSmileopened to over $22 million back in late 2022, the seeds were already planted for horror having its newest franchise. The strong reviews helped cement that prospect.Then the movie experienced weekend over weekend holds that were far better than most horror films are accustomed to. For instance, its second weekend generated $18.5 million, which was a miniscule 18% drop.
It was a great turn of events for a film initially intended to debut on Paramount+. By the time it ended its run,Smilehad earned over$217 million worldwide, nearly 13 times its $17 million budget.Smile 2is projected to earnat least $20 millionwhen it opens this Friday, October 18. It could possibly net upwards of $40 million, which seems equally likely given the terrific marketing, including the same clever smiling-people-in-crowdsmarketing that went viraland helped make the first movie such a hit.
Smile 2 Director Reveals His Favorite Horror Film of All Time
Parker Finn absolutely adores a Stanley Kubrick classic.
There’s no concrete information on the sequel’s budget at this point, but even with more stars (Aladdin’s Naomi Scott,Rosemarie DeWitt (Mad Men), and Drew Barrymore playing herself), it’s likely it wasn’t that much higher than the original film’s price tag. In short, even with a debut in the range of the original film’s,Smile 2would position itself to keep the franchise alive and healthy. And there are more stories to tell, according to director Parker Finn, who also helmed the first film and the short upon which it was based,Laura Hasn’t Slept.
About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.
