The Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 movie is moving forward, with Matthew Lillard confirming filming will begin in 2027. An early script is already circulating, and Lillard is expected back as William Afton. However, Universal and Blumhouse have not announced the full cast, plot, or official release date publicly yet.
What Is the Latest Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 Movie Update?
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The Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 movie is moving forward, and the clearest news comes from Matthew Lillard. The actor, who plays William Afton, says filming is planned for 2027. An early script is already circulating, but Universal and Blumhouse have not announced a release date, full cast, or complete plot. That means fans have a real production update without needing to treat online theories as fact.
The franchise also has strong commercial momentum. Bloody Disgusting reports that the first two movies earned about $536.8 million worldwide combined. That success gives the third film a clear reason to continue, but box office results do not confirm how closely the new story will follow the game or its characters.
When Will Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 Start Filming?
Matthew Lillard confirmed the timeline in an interview with Bloody Disgusting. He said, “I know the early version of the script came through and everyone’s really excited about it.” He then added, “And I know they’re moving to the next level, so we will be shooting in 2027.”
Those comments show that the process has moved beyond a basic idea. The script exists, people involved have seen it, and production is expected to begin next year. However, no exact month has been announced.
- Filming: Lillard says the sequel will shoot in 2027.
- Script: An early version has already circulated.
- Writer: Gary Dauberman is reported to be writing the film, replacing Scott Cawthon as the main screenwriter.
- Director: Emma Tammi is expected to return, though the reviewed sources stop short of a fresh studio confirmation.
- Release date: No official date or year has been announced.
Some outlets have suggested a 2027 release could happen if filming starts early, but that remains speculation.
Is Matthew Lillard Returning as Springtrap, and What Does It Mean for the Story?
Lillard’s return strongly points to William Afton remaining central to the horror story. The ending of Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 showed Afton’s body inside the yellow Spring Bonnie suit, setting up his Springtrap form. ComicBook identifies Lillard as returning as William Afton/Springtrap.
The sequel may draw from the Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 game, but no official story summary confirms a direct adaptation.
- Springtrap: Afton’s transformation gives the film a clear sequel hook.
- Vanessa: Her future remains uncertain after the Marionette storyline in the second movie.
- Returning cast: Josh Hutcherson, Piper Rubio, and Elizabeth Lail are not yet confirmed.
- Skeet Ulrich: His return has been teased, but details remain limited.
For now, the most reliable update is simple: filming is planned for 2027, Lillard remains involved, and the story is still under wraps.
Final Thoughts
The Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 movie is moving forward, with filming planned for 2027 and Matthew Lillard returning as William Afton. Fans still need to wait for official news on the release date, full cast, and plot. For now, the movie’s Springtrap setup is the biggest confirmed story clue.
FAQs
Yes, the Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 movie is in development, and Matthew Lillard says production will shoot in 2027.
A 2027 release is possible, but no official release date has been announced, so only the 2027 filming window is confirmed.
Josh Hutcherson’s return has not been confirmed in the reviewed sources, even though Mike remains an important character in the series.
The full plot is secret, but William Afton’s Springtrap setup and the aftermath of the second movie are expected to shape the next horror story.
A fourth movie has not been confirmed in the reviewed sources, so it is too early to say whether the franchise will continue beyond the third film.