Movies
Kyle Gallner and Rosemarie DeWitt Join the Cast of ‘Smile’ Sequel from Director Parker Finn
The sequel doesn’t yet have an official title but Parker Finn is returning to direct Smile 2 for Paramount, and The Wrap reports that Smile star Kyle Gallner will also be back.
Additionally, Rosemarie DeWitt (“The Staircase”) has joined the sequel’s cast, alongside the previously announced Lukas Gage (“The White Lotus”) and Naomi Scott (Power Rangers).
Smile 2 is scheduled to hit theaters on October 18, 2024.
Parker Finn signed a multi-year, first-look deal with Paramount Pictures in the wake of Smile striking it big at the box office, and a sequel to the film was the first order of business.
“Smile’s breakthrough success is a testament to Parker’s unique and fresh filmmaking, and we are thrilled that he will make Paramount his home,” said Paramount CEO Brian Robbins.
“Parker knows how to keep people on the edge of their seat and we’re happy that we get to keep scaring audiences together,” Paramount’s Michael Ireland and Daria Cercek added.
Stay tuned for more on Smile 2 as we learn it. The first film scared up a whopping $217 million worldwide in 2022, all but ensuring that a sequel wouldn’t be too far behind.
Parker Finn is both writing and directing this year’s sequel.
Movies
‘Hold the Fort’ Trailer Pits New Homeowners Against an Onslaught of Monsters
Sunrise Films has announced the official North American release of William Bagley‘s horror comedy Hold the Fort, and it’s accompanied by an energetic new trailer.
Hold the Fort debuts on digital platforms on June 23.
In the film, “Lucas and Jenny think their life is finally coming together when the couple become homeowners. Little do they know that their new house comes with a big catch. Lucas and Jenny soon find themselves in a fight for their lives when they become trapped in a battle between their Homeowners Association and an onslaught of monsters from hell. The horror-comedy takes the timely concern of home-ownership and wraps this up in an entertaining action-packed thrill ride.“
Watch the new trailer below, which introduces one wild HOA gathering during an equinox. Things get bloody fast.
Chris Mayers (Adult Swim Yule Log), Haley Leary (“The Walking Dead”), Levi Burdick, and Julian Smith star.
William Bagley writes and directs, in addition to producing with Smith, Matt Dodd, Luke Williams, and Tim Reis (Adult Swim Yule Log).
Ahead of the release, Bagley said, “My goal with this film was to make a hilarious, fast-paced thrill ride while also telling a great story with heart. Hopefully, through all the blood, laughs, fights, and gags, you leave the film feeling inspired to tackle whatever life throws at you.“
Hold the Fort premiered at Fantasia last summer before going on to play FrightFest London, Toronto After Dark, and Beyond Fest.
I wrote in my review, “It’s an infectiously charming assemblage of jokes and monster vignettes bound together by a barebones plot with not much on its mind beyond delivering an entertaining time.”

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