Happy Death Day 3 director Christopher Landon reveals how the third film will be different from the previous movies. Happy Death Day was released in 2017 and became a box office hit, grossing $125 million worldwide against a production budget of just $4.8 million. The Happy Death Day movie cast includes Jessica Rothe, Israel Broussard, and Ruby Modine. It follows a college student murdered on her birthday night, who finds herself reliving the day and sets out to find her killer. The sequel, Happy Death Day 2U, earned $64.6 million worldwide.
Now, in an interview with ScreenRant for Drop at SXSW, Landon revealed that he has spoken to franchise star Rothe about a third movie, and that it will not be set on the same day, or in the same loop as the other two movies in the franchise. He discussed how he pitched the third movie to Universal a long time ago, and while it would focus on the same characters, it would also bring in an entirely different genre to the franchise. Check out Landon’s comments below:
That was a long time ago. I did [pitch a third movie]. I’ve had the idea for a long time. Jessica Rothe and I have talked about it a lot. The beauty is that it’s not set on the same day, and it’s not in the same loop. So, if the opportunity should ever arise, and if Universal ever decides that they actually want a third because the fans do…
Yes. But what’s interesting is that each movie kind of introduced a slightly new genre that we mashed in there. The third movie brings in a whole other genre.
What This Means For Happy Death Day 3
The Movie Will Look To Bring The Franchise Full Circle
Based on Landon’s comments, the third movie in the franchise could seek to mix things up, and take the franchise in a brand-new direction. The Happy Death Day movies are offbeat and quirky, and blend multiple different genres, which is one of the things that makes them so appealing to viewers. Happy Death Day was a quirky, funny, and unique slasher that used the Groundhog Day motif to put a unique spin on a well-visited genre, and Happy Death Day 2U shifted into being more of a science-fiction story.
The end of Happy Death Day 2U saw Tree offer up frenemy Danielle as SISSY’s new victim, and ended with Danielle waking up screaming, suggesting she is stuck in her own time loop.
The third movie could bring something completely different, which could refresh the franchise, and set up future installments too. While it is unclear exactly what direction the third movie could take, the film will look to put a new twist on what has come before. Happy Death Day 2U‘s ending had a zany, wacky time loop plot that was closed at the end of the movie. However, it also revealed the existence of a multiverse. Happy Death Day 3 could explore this further, as well as create its own unique plot and tone in the process as well.
Our Take On Happy Death Day 3
Danielle Could Take Center Stage In The Sequel
The end of Happy Death Day 2U saw Tree offer up frenemy Danielle as SISSY’s new victim, and ended with Danielle waking up screaming, suggesting she is stuck in her own time loop. Of course, this requires the third movie to actually happen, and, while Landon seems hopeful, his comments also suggest that the ball will be in Universal’s court. Happy Death Day 3 could be one of the most exciting and engaging movies in the franchise, as well as helping to reshape the modern slasher genre, and there is hope Landon can get this one off the ground.
