Smile 3 gets a new director: Hellraiser's David Bruckner takes over from Parker Finn
By Fuzzy Mushroom · Published
Paramount has hired David Bruckner, who made The Night House and the 2022 Hellraiser, to direct Smile 3 from a script by Nick Antosca, so franchise creator Parker Finn won't be behind the camera this time. Finn pitched the story and stays on as a producer while he directs a remake of Possession starring Callum Turner and Margaret Qualley. Smile and Smile 2 have taken more than $350 million worldwide between them.
Can Smile still grin without Parker Finn in the director's chair?
How solid is this story?
Spore Score for the story: 93 (Rock solid). Status: Confirmed. Official: Paramount announcement, reported by Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter.
The films
- Smile (2022): Spore Score 72, The Pros 74 vs The Punters 66
- Smile 2 (2024): Spore Score 74, The Pros 75 vs The Punters 67
- The Night House (2020): Spore Score 65, The Pros 76 vs The Punters 44
Sources
- Variety: 'Smile 3' Sets David Bruckner to Direct While Franchise Creator Parker Finn Helms 'Possession' Remake (EXCLUSIVE) (29 October 2026)
- TheWrap: 'Smile 3' Finds Its Director in David Bruckner (29 October 2026)
- Deadline: 'Smile 3' Taps 'Hellraiser' Director David Bruckner Amid Parker Finn's Absence (29 October 2026)
- The Hollywood Reporter: David Bruckner Set to Direct 'Smile 3' (29 October 2026)
Our own summary: we always link to the original reporting. More Spore News · How the Spore Score works