Art the Clown is back to wreak havoc during the holiday season in Terrifier 3. Get ready for the upcoming horror flick, as we have gathered all the details, such as the release date, teaser, cast, plot, and more.
Introduced in Damien Leone's The 9th Circle back in 2008, Art the Clown has since become a notorious character. After his chilling appearance in 2011's Terrifier, which revolved around a young woman who becomes a witness to one of his grisly killings, he is now returning to the big screen with a vengeance.
Leone took Terrifier to the big screen after its appearance in All Hallows’ Eve, creating a full-length film in 2016. In this adaptation, a deranged clown haunts three young women on Halloween, delivering a delightfully vulgar and unforgettable upside-down kill that left viewers craving more.
Then came Terrifier 2, the most shocking horror film of the previous year, causing audience members in US theaters to faint and vomit. Naturally, the burning question now is when we can expect Terrifier 3. Here is what we currently know, including any potential release dates, cast members, and plot details.
Is there a Terrifier 3 release date?
Terrifier 3 is set to be released on October 25, 2024.
According to Deadline, filming for Terrifier 3 is expected to get underway in November or December 2023 ready for the release.
The Coven, a French distributor, announced in June 2023 that they will be handling worldwide sales for the third film in the franchise. Leone and producer Phil Falcone will be returning to lead the project. Earlier, the director had expressed plans for a third film and even hinted at the possibility of a fourth.
Leone informed Variety that while writing Part 2, he had already envisioned a Part 3. The intention was to raise numerous unanswered questions in Part 2, as he anticipated diving into them further in the next installment. "I have essentially completed the entire treatment for Part 3," Leone added, acknowledging its substantial size, which might even necessitate splitting it into a Part 4. The goal is to avoid creating another lengthy film like the previous one, which spanned 2 hours and 20 minutes. The final decision is yet to be determined.
I fear that eventually, we will exhaust our ideas and reach a point where our character becomes irrelevant. This pattern is common in many franchises that I am still a devoted fan of. I have witnessed the downfall of these franchises with their tenth and thirteenth installments, which can truly undermine the entire series.
It would be detrimental to the franchise if it fizzles out without a fulfilling storyline or if the movie takes an unexpected turn. I am determined to prevent such a scenario from happening.
Leone confirmed in a recent interview with Insider that he is currently writing Terrifier 3. He expressed his desire to make at least one more film in the series, and mentioned the possibility of creating two films to fully explore all the ideas he has in mind.
It was announced in mid-June that Bloody Disgusting and its parent company Cineverse had obtained the North American rights to Terrifier 3, as reported by Variety. Once the film completes its theatrical release, it will be available for streaming on Screambox, the horror platform owned by Cineverse.
Terrifier 3 trailer: Is there a trailer?
Although the full trailer is yet to be released, a teaser arrived on November 13, 2024, showing Art the Clown getting into the spirit of Christmas. Check it out:
And you can check out the trailers for Terrifier and Terrifier 2 below:
Terrifier 3 cast: Who’s in it?
The cast of Terrifier 3 hasn’t been confirmed, but we can bank on two stars: David Howard Thornton as Art the Clown, and Lauren LaVera as Sienna Shaw.
An article from Bloody Disgusting reveals that according to Deadline, cast members David Howard Thornton (known for his portrayal of Art The Clown) and Lauren LaVera (who played Sienna) are anticipated to make a comeback.
We can anticipate the reappearance of Amelie McLain as The Little Pale Girl, who made her debut in the sequel and captivated every scene she featured in. Regarding Victoria (Samantha Scaffidi), she was not in the optimal condition in Terrifier 2's post-credits scene, so it is possible that she might also make a comeback.
Terrifier 3 plot: What is it about?
Screambox has secured the North American rights for Terrifier 3, a horror film by Damien Leone. This installment will feature Art the Clown causing mayhem in Miles County while its residents peacefully sleep on Christmas Eve. Leone has hinted that the terror in part 2 was just the beginning, with an even bigger budget for this film.
Speaking to Deadline, Priscilla Smith from The Coven revealed that the third installment of the franchise would have a significantly larger budget. This increased budget aims to provide the filmmakers with more creative freedom and enable them to be even more daring and unconventional in their approach. Smith also expressed their ambition to win an Oscar this year.
Leone further added that Terrifier 3 would continue to push the boundaries of the horror genre. It will maintain the franchise's tradition of uncompromising and shocking storytelling that fans have come to anticipate and celebrate. Leone teased that if viewers thought Art the Clown's reign of terror in the second film was intense, they have not seen anything yet.
Discussing the "twisted ending" of Terrifier 2 and his desire to avoid doing a disservice to the character Art, the filmmaker expressed his concerns in an interview with the Nightmare on Film Street podcast. He expressed his biggest fear of undermining the protagonist that has been gradually developed, a common occurrence in many franchises.
He further added, "Inevitably, the villain becomes more dominant, overpowering all the heroes you have followed throughout six, seven, or even eight movies. They eventually diminish, whether due to an actor's departure, character death, or other factors. This leaves the audience questioning the purpose of investing in the series. It becomes difficult to view the entire series as a cohesive narrative with a satisfying progression or journey."
“I may potentially succumb to that trap, although I sincerely hope I don’t. At the moment, I earnestly desire to create a compelling narrative. Even highly skilled filmmakers, who possess remarkable artistic integrity, often find themselves ensnared by those pitfalls. Therefore, I cannot assert that I won’t be captivated by them, but I will exert my utmost effort to avoid such a predicament.”
Bloody Disgusting
Leone also mentioned in an interview with Variety that there will be a significant development concerning the pale girl in Part 3, but did not provide further details. He emphasized the importance of Sienna to the franchise's future, hinting at intriguing storylines and her character's journey. While acknowledging that the previous movie presented various complex elements, Leone assured that each aspect has a purpose and will eventually be clarified.
"I somewhat regret my decision, but I went ahead and recorded a director's commentary for the Blu-ray. Surprisingly, I divulged quite a bit of information that I probably shouldn't have. It might be worth checking out for those curious souls, as it contains definite spoilers about the storyline."
"Stay tuned to this page for the most recent updates on Terrifier 3. If you crave more horror-related articles, feel free to explore our collection below: "
Editor's P/S
As an enthusiastic fan of the Terrifier franchise, I am eagerly anticipating the release of Terrifier 3. The first two films in the series were incredibly well-received by horror fans, and I am confident that the third installment will be even better.
The plot of Terrifier 3 is still under wraps, but I am excited to see what Damien Leone has in store for us. The first two films were extremely violent and gory, and I am sure that the third film will be no exception. I am also curious to see how the character of Art the Clown will develop in this film. In the first two films, he was a silent, menacing figure, but I am wondering if we will see more of his personality in the third film.
Overall, I am very excited for Terrifier 3 and I cannot wait to see it when it is released in 2024. I am sure that it will be one of the most talked-about horror films of the year.