Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 is moving forward, and Matthew Lillard has now given fans a better idea of when the animatronics will be fired up again.
According to the actor, the third movie is expected to begin filming in 2027, with an early version of the script already generating excitement among those involved.
It took years for the original Five Nights at Freddy’s to escape development and reach theaters. Work on the video game adaptation began back in 2015, but the project moved through multiple studios and filmmakers before Emma Tammi finally brought it to the big screen in 2023.
The wait for Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 was much shorter, with the sequel arriving last year. Now the third film appears to be moving at a steady pace, even as the franchise makes some creative changes.
Lillard, who starred in the first two movies and is returning for Five Nights at Freddy’s 3, recently spoke with Bloody Disgusting while promoting Mike Flanagan’s Carrie series for Prime Video. He confirmed that production is currently targeting next year.
“I know the early version of the script came through and everyone’s really excited about it,” the actor shared. “And I know they’re moving to the next level, so we will be shooting in 2027.”
There’s currently no official release date for Five Nights at Freddy’s 3. A 2027 production schedule makes a release that same year possible if cameras start rolling early enough, but a later arrival could easily be in the cards.
One major change for the third movie involves the screenplay. Gary Dauberman, whose horror credits include IT, The Nun, Salem’s Lot, and Until Dawn, had been brought in to write the film.
Dauberman takes over writing duties from Five Nights at Freddy’s creator Scott Cawthon, who wrote the previous two movies. Tammi, meanwhile, is expected to return to direct her third installment.
Lillard and Skeet Ulrich have both teased their involvement in the new movie. The status of Josh Hutcherson, Piper Rubio, and Elizabeth Lail remains unknown, so there are still plenty of questions about exactly who will be back when Freddy Fazbear and company return.
Dauberman stepping into the franchise is an interesting choice considering his extensive horror background. The first two Five Nights at Freddy’s movies didn’t exactly win over critics, but audiences still turned the franchise into a major box-office player.
The first movie earned $297.2 million worldwide, while Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 brought in $239.6 million. Those numbers give Blumhouse plenty of reason to keep the animatronic nightmare alive, and the third film has an opportunity to push the series in a stronger direction.
Now we wait to see what Dauberman has cooked up for Freddy, William Afton, and whatever other nightmare fuel is lurking around the corner.
