While Universal and Blumhouse haven't yet announced an official release date, development on Five Nights at Freddy's 3 is now a confirmed reality, with concrete details beginning to emerge about the direction the project will take.
Gary Dauberman takes over the screenplay
The biggest news involves the creative team. According to reports from the US press, the screenplay for the third film has been handed to Gary Dauberman, a writer well-known to horror fans for penning films like IT and Annabelle. This represents a significant shift for the franchise, as the previous installments were written primarily by the series creator, Scott Cawthon. Dauberman's involvement could mark a narrative evolution for the cinematic saga, with a structure more focused on pacing and tension building—elements some critics felt could be improved in the second film. It remains unclear what direct role Cawthon will play in the screenplay's development.
Springtrap's return seems inevitable
The ending of Five Nights at Freddy's 2 left numerous questions unanswered, clearly setting the stage for the return of the series' primary antagonist. According to reports from the United States, the third chapter should draw more heavily from the events of the Five Nights at Freddy's 3 video game, finally introducing Springtrap as a central figure in the story. The character represents one of the most iconic incarnations of William Afton and marks one of the most pivotal moments in the entire franchise lore. The goal appears to be definitively connecting the events shown in the first two films with the more complex mythology built in the video games.
Cast: expect the original leads
While official casting announcements haven't been made yet, American sources point to the likely return of most of the main cast. Expected to return are:
- Josh Hutcherson as Mike Schmidt;
- Matthew Lillard as William Afton;
- Piper Rubio as Abby;
- Elizabeth Lail, should the story require it.
Matthew Lillard himself previously revealed that he signed on for a trilogy, a detail that now strengthens speculation about his involvement in the third film.
When could it arrive in theaters
Universal Pictures has not yet announced an official release window. However, given that the screenplay is still in development, several industry observers consider a 2027 release plausible, giving the creative team the necessary time for production and special effects—essential elements for a saga heavily dependent on animatronics.
A franchise that keeps growing
The film adaptation of Five Nights at Freddy's has proven to be one of Blumhouse's recent major successes. The first film grossed over 290 million dollars worldwide against a modest budget, transforming what initially seemed like a gamble into one of the most profitable horror franchises in recent years. This success has pushed the studio to accelerate work on sequels and further expand the narrative universe inspired by Scott Cawthon's video games.
Looking ahead
While many details remain under wraps, the information that has surfaced points to a clear direction: Five Nights at Freddy's 3 will likely aim to draw closer to video game mythology, focusing on the character of Springtrap and a darker, more layered narrative. With fresh hands on the screenplay, the probable return of the original cast, and massive support from the international community, the third chapter has all the makings of one of the most anticipated horror films in the coming years, cementing the enduring success of the film adaptation of one of the most popular video game franchises of the past decade.
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