Riyadh 04:17London 01:17New York 21:17Tokyo 10:17
Thursday, 29 October 2026AboutAdvertiseContact

David Bruckner to direct Smile 3 as franchise expands

Paramount taps new director for third instalment while creator Parker Finn moves to other projects.

man in black crew neck t-shirt standing beside woman in white button up shirt
Illustrative image. Photo: Gordon Cowie on Unsplash

At a glance

  • David Bruckner hired to direct Smile 3
  • Nick Antosca writing the screenplay
  • Parker Finn remains as producer while directing Possession remake

Paramount Pictures has announced that David Bruckner will direct the third film in the Smile franchise, with Nick Antosca writing the screenplay. Bruckner, known for directing the 2022 Hellraiser reboot, takes over from franchise creator Parker Finn, who will remain attached as a producer.

Finn, who created the original Smile films, is moving on to helm a remake of Possession, according to the studio.

Why it matters

The Smile franchise has become a significant property for Paramount, with the third instalment continuing the studio's investment in the horror series.

Original reporting

This brief was written with AI assistance from the reports listed above and checked against our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.