MOVIE NEWS – The director of Smile 2 acknowledged the similarity of the film with Shyamalan’s 2024 hit, Trap…
The director of Smile 2, Parker Finn, admitted that the plot of one of the most anticipated horror sequels of the year is quite similar to another horror hit of the year, Trap. However, according to the director, this is all due to the coincidental timing of the film’s release. It reflects similar double releases like Dante’s Peak and Volcano, or Armageddon and Deep Impact.
Finn is undoubtedly having one of the best moments of his life. The horror sequel likely exceeded expectations over the weekend and may have achieved better results than the original film. In the midst of questions about the sequel and casting, Finn spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about the story overlap between the two films. In his answer, the director cited the films Armageddon and Deep Impact as the best examples of twin films released around the same time:
“Well, I’m a big fan of Night [Shyamalan], and I think it was at CinemaCon [2024] where the premises of both Smile 2 and Trap were revealed. So it was probably a surprise for both of us, but outside of there being a large pop star element to both, I knew there was very little chance that there would be much crossover in what the two movies are actually doing.”
“There’s room for all kinds of stories, and I’m glad that people seem to enjoy Trap. I also hope that people are excited to see Smile 2.”
Smile 2 director wants Naomi Scott to win awards
While Smile 2 is still fresh regarding release and reception, the Academy will likely overlook it when the Oscars are handed out. And yet people are fans of Ray Nicholson’s performance in the film. Jack Nicholson’s son found a way to incorporate his father’s signature smile into the plot. However, Finn also mentioned Naomi Scott’s performance to The Hollywood Reporter as a very strong performance that deserves a lot of credit. According to the director’s statement:
“I feel beyond lucky just to be able to make films. It’s a dream career, and I hope to keep making movies. Awards are lovely, but the real reward is the movie itself and getting to share that with the world.”
“But I agree. Naomi is an absolute powerhouse. She gives a tour-de-force performance in this film, and if I was on an awards committee, even unbiased, I would say she absolutely deserves consideration. So I hope that the industry starts recognizing that.”
Finn will soon leave the world of Smile behind him for a while, his next project will be the remake of Sam Neill’s film Possession. He hasn’t revealed much about the upcoming film, but he’s certainly up for the challenge that such a remake brings. Speaking about the upcoming movie starring Robert Pattinson, Finn said: “It would take somebody out of their mind to remake Possession, and I think I might be just the guy.”
Source: THR
