Matthew Lillard Hints at Five Nights At Freddy’s 3 and Epic Showdown

The highly anticipated sequel, Five Nights At Freddy’s 2, has opened in theatres, continuing the chilling saga introduced in the first film. Following its release, actor Matthew Lillard, who portrays the notorious William Afton, hinted at potential plans for a third installment during recent promotional appearances.

Directed by Emma Tammi and written by franchise creator Scott Cawthon, Five Nights At Freddy’s 2 features a talented cast, including Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Megan Fox, and Kellen Goff. It picks up the narrative of Mike Schmidt, a former security guard at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, who must protect his sister, Abby, from the malevolent spirits linked to Afton, a serial killer who once used the establishment as a facade for his crimes.

The film diverges from the original game narrative, exploring new directions while teasing further developments in the franchise. Recently, Lillard expressed optimism for future sequels, stating, “Our hope is that we get to do three films.” He noted that the success of the second film is crucial for these ambitions, emphasizing that, “everything is dependent on how the movie does in theaters.”

Despite a less-than-stellar critical reception, which initially cast doubt on the film’s financial success, Five Nights At Freddy’s 2 exceeded expectations at the box office, raking in a projected $56.5 million during its opening weekend. Although this figure falls short of the first film’s impressive $80 million debut, its budget of approximately $35 million suggests it has a strong chance of profitability.

Future of the Franchise

The film’s conclusion sets the stage for Afton’s return in a zombified form, known as Springtrap, a character from the game series. Lillard’s comments hint that his character may have a more significant role in Five Nights At Freddy’s 3. He remarked, “We’ll get that final Harry Potter vs. Voldemort or Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader.”

The story leaves several unresolved threads, particularly concerning Afton’s children. Vanessa, initially an ally to Mike, ends the film potentially possessed by one of her father’s victims, while her brother, Michael, remains unaccounted for and seems eager to continue Afton’s dark legacy.

Lillard conveyed his excitement about the potential for these storylines to evolve, but he reiterated that the path forward hinges on audience turnout. “For now, we’ve got a long way to go; we’ve got to get people into the theaters,” he concluded.

As of now, Five Nights At Freddy’s 2 is available in theatres, and audiences are eager to see how this horror franchise develops further. The success of this sequel will likely determine the future trajectory of the series, making it a pivotal moment for fans of the franchise.