Josh Hutcherson’s starrer Five Nights at Freddy’s was a surprise hit at the box office last year. The film was released simultaneously on Peacock and in theatres and it still managed to bring fans to theatres to experience the film. The film also has Elizabeth Lail, Mary Stuart Masterson, and Matthew Lillard in pivotal roles.
The huge success of the film has now led to Blumhouse greenlighting a sequel that will start production this year. The film will see the return of Hutcherson as the lead, including another fan-favorite character that fans have already known to be returning for the sequel.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 Bringing Back Matthew Lillard as William Afton
2023’s Five Nights at Freddy’s was a big hit for Blumhouse becoming the production company’s highest-grossing film ever. It grossed a whopping $296 million with just a $20 million budget. The film had Josh Hutcherson in the lead, along with Elizabeth Lail and Matthew Lillard. The studio is now gearing up to start production of the film’s sequel later this year.
A new update about the sequel has been reported by popular scooper Daniel Richtman. According to him (via The Hollywood Handle), Lillard will reprise his role as William Afton, the serial killer responsible for killing 5 children in the film and hiding them inside the animatronics. He gains control of their souls and the animatronics (containing the souls of the children) who want Hutcherson’s younger sister in the film, Abby, dead so that she can join them in the afterlife.
While Afton is defeated by the end of the film, his quote “I Always Come Back” has stuck with audiences. Additionally, fans reacted to the news stating that they already knew the character was coming back as Lillard had signed a three-film contract with the studio (as he revealed on the WeeklyMTG podcast). Here are some of the reactions on X,
Lillard said he singed a three-picture deal. This isn’t really news
— BSL (@bigscreenleaks) February 25, 2024
He always comes back
— ExpoDev (@ExpoDevSequel) February 24, 2024
I mean he did sign for a 3 picture deal so wasn’t it obvious
— Elijah (@Eli_215philly) February 24, 2024
I mean, it's obvious that he'll return for the sequel because… well… Afton always comes back.
— CometStar (@CometStarYT) February 25, 2024
I mean he did sign a 3 movie contract with Universal for that fnaf movie
— veggieman (@veggietaleman) February 25, 2024
Lillard’s William Afton is sure to create more havoc for the protagonists and it remains to be seen what new evil tricks he will be up to in the sequel. Fans are expecting a new and improved William Afton who will prove to be an even challenging foe for Hutcherson’s Mike Schmidt in the sequel.
Josh Hutcherson is Excited to Return for Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
Josh Hutcherson played Mike Schmidt in 2023’s Five Nights at Freddy’s. Throughout the film, he and his younger sister Abby try to survive the chaos and havoc caused by William Afton played by Matthew Lillard. With the film becoming a huge success, Hutcherson is set to return in a sequel which is starting production in the next few months.
Hutcherson told Variety that the studio and the writers are hard at work on the script for the sequel. He expressed his gratitude for being a part of the first film and its monumental success. He is excited to return for the sequel and the exciting opportunities that it’ll bring. He said,
“I know they’re in the process right now of nailing down the story, and they want to get going as soon as possible,” Hutcherson said. “Obviously, the fans are amazing and die-hard. For me to be a part of it was was so cool and phenomenal.
“We hoped it would connect with audiences,” he continued. “But I don’t think that anybody, even on our side of things, expected it to really connect the way that it did. I’m dying to get back on set. Emma Tammi, our director, was fantastic, and it was such a fun world to play in. I’m excited to see what they are doing next.”
The sequel is set to start shooting in July this year with a possible release early next year. Elizabeth Lail and Matthew Lillard are also expected to return for the sequel. Fans can watch the first film on Peacock.
