'Five Nights at Freddy's 3' Should Begin Filming in 2027, Says Matthew Lillard

In an interview with Bloody Disgusting during the promotion of Carrie, Matthew Lillard revealed that the production of Five Nights at Freddy's 3should begin in 2027. The actor, who was in the first two films of the franchise, confirmed that he has already read an early version of the script and that the team is excited.

"I know the first draft of the script has arrived and everyone is very excited. And I know they're moving on to the next stage, so we're going to start filming in 2027," Lillard stated.

If filming does indeed begin in 2027, a same-year release is possible, but unlikely, unless production starts as early as January. The good news is that the creative hurdles seem far smaller than those faced by the first film, which took eight years to get off the ground.

In June, a report indicated that Gary Dauberman, known for IT, The Nun, Salem's Lot and Until Dawn has been hired to write the new chapter. He replaces Scott Cawthon, creator of the game series, who wrote the previous two screenplays. Director Emma Tammi is expected to return for the third film. Lillard and Skeet Ulrich have already signaled their return, but it is still unknown whether Josh Hutcherson, Piper Rubio, and Elizabeth Lail will also return.

Despite negative reviews, the first two films were box office successes. The first grossed $297.2 million worldwide, and the second $239.6 million. If the third film is more popular with audiences, its performance could be even greater.