DespiteFive Nights at Freddy’ssuccess at the box office, a sequel for the 2023 film hasn’t yet been given the green light. Blumhouse Vice President of Feature Film Development, Ryan Turek, recently spoke withCollideraboutNight Swim, the production company’s first major outing for 2024, and the future of fan favorite films, including the confirmedM3GAN 2.0andThe Black Phone 2, and a possibleFive Nights at Freddy’ssequel.
When asked about a potential follow-up film, Turek shared:
“That movie made so much money. It was a huge success, and we’re grateful for that. [Director] Emma [Tammi] did such a great job, but we’re still waiting for the green light on that. We’ll see”
When the interviewer noted that it was crazy that a sequel had not been confirmed, Turek replied:
“No, it’s not crazy. It’s just part of the process, I think.”
Fans of the film, which is based on the popular video game franchise by Scott Cawthon (who co-wrote the film alongside director Emma Tammi and Seth Cuddeback) will be disappointed to learn thatthe future ofFive Nights at Freddy’sremains uncertain. The supernatural horror didn’t fare well with critics - who overwhelmingly just didn’t find the film to be scary - but was well-received by general audiences. The film grossed over $295 million (against a $20 million budget), and currently holds the title of Blumhouse’s highest-grossing film ever.
Turek did providea hopeful update aboutM3GAN 2.0: while shooting hasn’t commenced, he notes the film “is underway.”
Related:Exclusive: Night Swim Director on Bringing His Acclaimed Short Film to Life as a Feature
Would Matthew Lillard Return for a Five Nights at Freddy’s Sequel?
Five Nights at Freddy’s
Five Nights at Freddy’sstars Josh Hutcherson as a troubled security guard who begins working at Freddy’s Fazbear Pizza, an abandoned pizzeria and family entertainment center. During his first night on the job, he realizes that the night shift won’t be so easy to get through. He soon finds himself battling possessed animatronics.
The film marked Matthew Lillard’s first major role in horror in decades. Renowned in the genre for his portrayal of Stu Macher in 1996’sScream, Lillard’s appearances in the genre have been limited since starring in 2001’sThir13en Ghosts.In conversation withCollider, Lillard was optimistic about aFive Nights at Freddy’ssequel, notingthe film’s successful run at the box office:
“So, it is Hollywood, one can assume that in success more will follow. I don’t know if it’s gonna be greenlit, it certainly hasn’t been greenlit for me, but the expectation is that they will be making more, and in success, it’s Hollywood, they’ll make a lot more.”
Whether he’d like to reprise the role of the film’s villain, William Afton, Lillard said:
“If it does come back, and if I’m lucky to be brought back, sure, yeah. I mean, I barely got to touch him, right? I got to kill my daughter, but we know nothing about him. We know nothing about his history, about his journey. All those things that the fans have filled in for year after year, I’m excited to, with [video game creator Scott Cawthon] and [director Emma Tammi], fill in all those pieces that the fans have always wondered about.” He added: “How do we fill out expectations and how do we fill out the lore? I’ll be excited to be a piece of that story.”
A Lillard return would take some creativity from filmmakers (given the movie’s conclusion), but stranger things have happened in horror.
