Scott Cawthon Is Not Writing Five Nights at Freddy’s 3

Image: Blumhouse/Universal Pictures

The creative team behind the next installment of the Five Nights at Freddy’s film series has finally been unveiled. In a notable departure from previous entries, the franchise is shifting gears by tapping an outside screenwriter rather than relying on series architect Scott Cawthon to pen the script.

According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, industry veteran Gary Dauberman has been tapped to write the screenplay for the third film. Dauberman is a seasoned architect of horror, having been the creative force behind the Annabelle series and the blockbuster It adaptations. He has also been deeply embedded in the world of gaming-to-film transitions, serving as the writer for the 2025 Until Dawn project and providing narrative consultation for the upcoming Street Fighter adaptation.

Entrusting the screenplay to such an accomplished horror writer marks a significant pivot. Since the inception of the franchise in 2014, Scott Cawthon has been the singular creative force guiding its narrative path, having co-written the first film and solely authored the second. While he is stepping back from scripting duties for this third outing, Cawthon will remain actively involved as a producer.

Details regarding the plot remain under wraps, and it is currently unclear if returning stars like Josh Hutcherson, Matthew Lillard, and Piper Rubio will reprise their roles. Universal Pictures has yet to lock in an official release date for the project. However, with the confirmation of a screenwriter and reports suggesting that director Emma Tammi is expected to helm the production, it is clear that the franchise is moving steadily toward active development.

It comes as little surprise that Blumhouse and Universal are pushing forward with the series; both previous films proved to be massive commercial successes. Yet, they have struggled to find consistent favor with critics. As noted in our review of the second film, the dense, intricate lore of the games can feel impenetrable for newcomers, resulting in a fractured narrative experience. Perhaps the inclusion of a fresh, external perspective in the writing room will help streamline the storytelling for a broader audience.

Source: Polygon