As a long-time connoisseur of horror films and a passionate fan of character-driven narratives, I am thrilled about the potential future of the Smile franchise. Director Parker Finn’s commitment to maintaining the series’ focus on rich, thematic storytelling and character development is music to my ears.
Just like how Smile 2 moved away from the original movie’s intimate narrative by focusing on a pop star, the future of this franchise could take various paths. This is indeed possible, as confirmed by director Parker Finn in his conversation with Screen Rant. Following the massive success of the initial film, Finn expresses his enthusiasm about potentially making more sequels. In his own words, he finds the idea “exciting.
“I believe that Smile has plenty of exciting destinations ahead. Personally, I am committed to creating something deeply thematic and character-driven. I’m thrilled with where this movie is going, and I can’t wait for viewers to experience Smile 2. If it resonates with audiences, I think there could be an intriguing future for the Smile franchise.
The initial “Smile” movie was a hit due to its treatment of an apparently absurd idea with genuine sincerity. Crucially, it prioritized character development, making viewers emotionally connect with Sosie Bacon and Caitlin Stasey’s characters, who seemed like authentic individuals rather than stereotypical horror film personas. The outstanding performances across the board undoubtedly contributed to the film’s lasting impact.
In the forthcoming film, Smile 2, it appears that the strength will remain consistent. Based on Finn’s statements, character development is always a focus in this series, regardless of the number of movies produced. This assurance undeniably sparks anticipation among fans about the franchise’s future. Nevertheless, we must wait and see if viewers decide to watch the second movie. Given the current success of horror films, with Terrifier 3 outperforming DC’s hit sequel, Joker, at the weekend box office, the odds are favorable. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that tormented pop star Skye Riley can continue Art the Clown’s streak of genre victories.
Will Smile 2 Earn Enough to Warrant Another Sequel?
When “Smile” debuted with around $22 million in late 2022, it set the stage for a new horror franchise. The favorable reviews solidified this potential. Notably, the film showed remarkable weekend-to-weekend retention that is unusual for most horror movies. For example, its second weekend earnings amounted to $18.5 million, representing only a slight 18% decrease.
The film “Smile,” initially slated for release on Paramount+, turned out to be quite a fortunate break. By the end of its screening, “Smile” managed to gross an impressive $217 million globally, a figure that is approximately 13 times its initial budget of $17 million. With its sequel, “Smile 2,” set to open this Friday, October 18, predictions suggest it will earn at least $20 million. There’s also a possibility that it could accumulate up to $40 million, a likelihood that seems plausible considering the effective marketing strategies, including the ingenious use of smiling-people-in-crowds advertising, which went viral and significantly contributed to the success of the first movie.
At present, we don’t have definite details about the budget for the sequel. However, with notable actors like Naomi Scott from Aladdin, Rosemarie DeWitt known for Mad Men, and Drew Barrymore playing herself joining the cast, it’s reasonable to assume that the budget didn’t significantly exceed the original film’s cost. Essentially, Smile 2 is poised to maintain the franchise, even if its debut is within the same range as the first movie. As director Parker Finn, who also directed the initial film and the short it was based on (Laura Hasn’t Slept), suggests, there are more tales to be told in this franchise.
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2024-10-15 22:31