New speculation surrounding the horror film Smile has sparked curiosity about its official sequel title. Despite the buzz, the title remains unchanged.
Film industry insider Daniel Richtman recently reported that the Smile sequel would be named Smile Deluxe. However, Paramount has confirmed to CBR that the official title is Smile 2, as announced at CinemaCon. Parker Finn returns as both writer and director, with Kyle Gallner reprising his role from the original film. The sequel will also feature Naomi Scott, Lukas Gage, and Rosemarie DeWitt.
Released in 2022, Smile was a massive box office success, grossing over $217 million worldwide on a modest $17 million budget. Initially slated for a streaming release, the film’s positive test screenings led to a theatrical release instead. The movie’s success prompted the announcement of a sequel, with filming for Smile 2 commencing in April 2023.
Parker Finn, the creative force behind Smile, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to make the film. “I was beyond grateful just for the opportunity to get to make a film for a studio who believed in me and this project enough to greenlight us and let us make it,” Finn told CBR. “When the decision happened to go with a theatrical wide release, that was definitely a pinch-me moment. I love the big screen, big sound, and communal experience; that’s how I fell in love with movies. Watching movies at home is also amazing. Some of my favorite films I watched at home for the first time, and they still became my favorite films, but getting to do it theatrical was totally a dream come true.”
