Smile 2 on track for 2024: Here's what we know about the movie so far

A direct sequel to the breakout 2022 horror film Smile is coming to theaters this fall! Smile 2, the currently untitled follow-up, will officially be released by Paramount Pictures on October 18, 2024.

There's no trailer or even a teaser yet for the highly-anticipated movie, but we do know quite a bit about what to expect from the sequel, including the cast, some plot teases, and more. Back when the first movie came out, no one expected it to blow up as big as it did.

Based on director and writer Parker Finn's 11-minute short film Laura Hasn't Slept, Smile quickly became a success and earned over $217 million off of its $17 million budget. Not long after the movie came out, Finn told The Hollywood Reporter he felt there was "a lot of interesting stuff to explore in the world of Smile. There certainly are stones I left unturned by design."

But he wasn't ready to jump into a second film unless he knew he had a good story in mind. Obviously, inspiration struck, as Finn is returning to write and direct the sequel.

Smile 2 cast includes one key character from the first movie

Kyle Gallner, who played Joel in the first film, is coming back for part two, which makes sense since his character was implied to become the demon's next victim after witnessing Rose's (Sosie Bacon) death.

My personal theory is that Gallner will die off in a cold open sequence similar to what Caitlin Stasey did in Smile (Stasey played the main character in Finn's original short film). Afterward, we'll pivot to Smile 2's actual main character, Aladdin star Naomi Scott.

Other actors cast in Smile 2 include Lukas Gage, Rosemarie DeWitt, Dylan Gelula, Raúl Castillo, and Miles Gutierrez-Riley.

What is Smile 2 about?

The storyline is being kept under wraps but we do know some things about Smile 2 thanks to the official trailer premiering at the 2024 CinemaCon. Sadly, that trailer hasn't been released yet, but SlashFilm reported on what they saw in the footage.

This time around, we'll pivot from a psychotherapist to a global pop star. Per the outlet, "the footage showed Scott's character getting a shock when a man (played by Lukas Gage, who recently appeared in the Road House remake) breaks into her dressing room and smiles creepily at her. Elsewhere in the footage, she is confronted by a kid with braces who flashes her a similar malevolent smile."

That's not much to go on, but SlashFilm also says the new movie has a "glitzier" look, which makes sense since this time we're seeing the demon plaguing a pop singer. It sounds like Smile 2 could also be an interesting commentary on fan culture, maybe like a companion to last year's Swarm.

Lukas Gage says one scene was so gory he 'dry-heaved' off-camera

One of the reasons Smile has become so popular among horror fans is for its absolutely bonkers final act and that terrifyingly gruesome image where we see the demonic entity emerge in its true form before claiming Rose as a horrified Joel watches. It's a very dark and grisly ending.

Based on an interview sequel star Gage gave to The Hollywood Reporter, it seems like the second movie will have even gorier content.

"I didn’t puke, I dry-heaved. I was really shocked how intense it is on the day. You just think, ‘Oh, it’s acting, it’s gonna be fine,’ but that movie is so scary. The whole crew was terrified. That smile itself is just so creepy and then you throw the most gory scenes on top of it, I just, yeah, I have a weak stomach too. I’m a wimp."

Beyond that, Gage didn't say much else about the role, which makes sense since it's still being kept very secret, but he did say he was really excited about the film, adding that he tends to be his own biggest critic, but he's "so proud of it," and that he thinks Finn "did it again, like, he just takes it to the next level and we have some really cool cameos happening in this movie."

Sounds super exciting! Also I know there's no title yet, but I feel like we'd all be remiss if we didn't mention the possibility of a sequel being named Frown. "Turn that smile upside down," as some sort of tagline?

Stay tuned to 1428 Elm for more details on Smile and all things horror! To stay up to date, follow our Facebook page and Twitter account!