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My name is Bradley Gammel, and I'm an avid gamer and lover of cinema. My academic background features an English degree from Oklahoma State, and I am attending Pittsburgh State University as an MBA student.
Paramount’s surprise horror hit, Smile, rocked the box office last year, and now the sequel to the hit film has found a new cast member. Deadline recently announced that Naomi Scott has signed on to star in the horror franchise. The movie is set to be written and directed by Parker Finn, who helmed the first film, which is in turn based on his 2020 short film, Laura Hasn’t Slept. The first film grossed over $217 million, which is impressive for a new intellectual property that was initially planned as a Paramount+ exclusive.
Smile follows Dr. Rose Cotter’s (Sosie Bacon) life as it takes a terrifying turn after witnessing a traumatic incident involving a patient. Unexplained and frightening occurrences start plaguing her existence, plunging her into overwhelming terror. In a fight for survival and an attempt to escape her horrifying new reality, Rose is compelled to confront her troubled past.
Get Ready for More Smiles
With the sudden popularity of the film last year, it is no surprise that a sequel would quickly be green-lit and move up to the top of the ladder for release. Seeing that they sought out Scott, a notable young rising star, makes sense in recent years. They have a young, familiar actor who can become the face of a franchise or legacy.
Naomi Scott makes an excellent fit for a newly found franchise. Scott is no stranger to portraying pop culture icons and has a solid built-in fan base. Her first significant role was in Disney Channel UK’s Life Bites (2008-09) as the recurring character Megan and in the Disney Channel television film, Lemonade Mouth (2011). However, Scott has been part of three franchise reboots since appearing in Ridley Scott’s 2015 film, The Martian. The first was portraying the pink Power Ranger in the 2017 film Saban’s Power Rangers, as Eleana Houghlin in Elizabeth Banks’s Charlie’s Angels (2019), and Disney’s live-action Jasmine in Aladdin (2019).
With her recent popularity, Scott brings a familiar face to younger audiences and will draw in new moviegoers. The unnamed equal to Smile is set to release on October 18, 2024!
Those wondering what they can catch Scott in next can enjoy her star alongside Pete Davidson in the A24 film, Wizards! And we will have to wait a little longer to reprise her role as Jasmine in the Aladdin sequel.
Source: Deadline
My name is Bradley Gammel, and I'm an avid gamer and lover of cinema. My academic background features an English degree from Oklahoma State, and I am attending Pittsburgh State University as an MBA student.
This article was edited by John Tangalin.