Dauberman boards 'five nights at freddy’s 3,' blumhouse seeks to reignite the animatronic nightmare

The terrifying legacy of Freddy Fazbear is about to get a significant upgrade. Gary Dauberman, the architect of chilling narratives for ‘It’ and ‘Annabelle,’ has been tapped to script ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 3,’ signaling a clear attempt by Blumhouse and Universal to resurrect the franchise’s horrifying appeal.

A shift in direction: moving beyond cawthon’s vision

According to Dread Central, this marks a pivotal moment – not just for the film’s development, but potentially for the entire ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ cinematic universe. The studio’s investment suggests a desire to move beyond the somewhat uneven tone established by creator Scott Cawthon and director Emma Tammi in the previous installments. Dauberman’s resume, laden with horror credits including ‘The Nun’ and ‘Until Dawn,’ injects a pedigree of suspense and unsettling atmosphere that could be exactly what the series needs.

Dauberman’s track record: a history of horror

Dauberman’s involvement isn’t a shot in the dark. He’s consistently delivered effective scares, most recently with the success of ‘Until Dawn,’ a narrative-driven horror game brought to life on screen. His work on the ‘It’ films, particularly the 2017 reboot, demonstrates a keen understanding of building tension and utilizing psychological horror. It’s a far cry from the initial, arguably frantic, approach of the first movie.

Box office success and critical pushback

Let’s be clear: ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ 1 and 2 generated substantial revenue – $291.5 million and $238.5 million respectively – proving the concept has a powerful pull. However, both films were met with lukewarm reception, with Rotten Tomatoes scores hovering around 33% and 17%, respectively. Critics found the execution lacking, a gap Dauberman’s experience might help bridge. Universal is clearly hoping to correct this trajectory.

The team remains

Despite the shift in creative leadership, whispers suggest that director Emma Tammi and creator Scott Cawthon will remain involved, likely in a producer capacity. The expectation is that star power – Josh Hutcherson, Piper Rubio, and Elizabeth Lail – will return, though confirmations remain elusive. It’s a calculated move, leveraging established names alongside a fresh vision. The prospect of seeing Freddy, Chica, Foxy, and Bonnie back on the big screen, albeit with a revamped script, is undeniably intriguing.

Looking ahead: an unannounced third act

While ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 3’ hasn't been formally announced, industry insiders believe a greenlight is imminent. The financial success of the preceding films, coupled with Dauberman’s pedigree, makes it a logical next step. This isn’t about nostalgia; it’s about capitalizing on a proven, albeit imperfect, concept. And, frankly, the world needs more animatronic mayhem.