The horror film franchise Five Nights At Freddy’s continues to expand with the recent release of its second installment, which has already sparked discussions about a potential third film. Matthew Lillard, who reprises his role as the notorious serial killer William Afton, recently shared his thoughts on the future of the series and hinted at exciting developments in upcoming sequels.
Directed by Emma Tammi and written by franchise creator Scott Cawthon, Five Nights At Freddy’s 2 debuted in theaters on December 5, 2025. The film stars Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio, Megan Fox, and Lillard, among others. Set two years after the first film, it follows former security guard Mike Schmidt as he tries to safeguard his sister Abby from vengeful spirits connected to Afton, who used the now-infamous Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza as a cover for his heinous crimes.
While the film draws inspiration from the original game franchise, it carves out a narrative of its own, leaving room for more installments. Lillard expressed optimism about the possibility of a trilogy, stating, “Our hope is that we get to do three films.” He emphasized that the decision hinges on the film’s box office performance, indicating that plans for a third installment are contingent upon audience turnout.
Despite a challenging critical reception, which could have impacted its earnings, Five Nights At Freddy’s 2 has performed well at the box office, projecting a weekend haul of approximately $56.5 million. Though this figure falls short of the first film’s opening weekend of $80 million, the sequel’s production budget of around $35 million suggests it may soon reach a profitable status.
The film’s post-credits scene teases Afton’s return in a new form, known as Springtrap, which aligns with the game series. This development gives weight to Lillard’s assertion that Afton will play a more prominent role in the third film. The narrative also leaves open threads involving Afton’s children: Vanessa, who appears to be possessed, and her brother Michael, whose intentions remain unclear.
Lillard’s excitement for the future of the franchise was evident as he likened his character’s potential showdown to iconic battles such as “Harry Potter vs. Voldemort” or “Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader.” He stated, “That’s our hope. Within that, we’ll get to do that and explore more.”
As audiences eagerly await the next chapter, Lillard remains focused on the present, recognizing that the future of the film series depends on current viewer engagement. “For now, we’ve got a long way to go; we’ve got to get people into the theaters,” he concluded.
With the current installment now screening in theaters, fans of the franchise are left to ponder the direction of the story and the fate of its characters. As the industry watches closely, the success of Five Nights At Freddy’s 2 may very well determine the franchise’s trajectory in the coming years.
