Black Phone 3: Director Scott Derrickson's Demands for Another Call

After Black Phone 2's big box office opening, director Scott Derrickson, star Ethan Hawke, and author Joe Hill are already thinking about a third film – but there's a catch (or two!).

TL;DR: Quick Takes on Black Phone 3

• Director Scott Derrickson will only make Black Phone 3 if it can genuinely surpass both previous films in quality, pushing for innovative scares rather than mere "retreads."
• Star Ethan Hawke wants to dive deep into The Grabber's past in Hell, while author Joe Hill suggests a "dual stars" approach where Finney and Gwen share the lead.
• Black Phone 2 opened strong, earning over $42 million worldwide on a $30 million budget, proving audience interest for more terror from Blumhouse.

Alright, horror fans, let's talk about the buzz! Black Phone 2 just landed in theaters on October 17, 2025, and it's already making some serious noise. The Blumhouse sequel spooked its way to a No. 1 opening, raking in over $42 million worldwide against a modest $30 million production budget. That's a huge win for Universal Pictures and a clear signal that audiences are still picking up the call when The Grabber comes ringing. With that kind of success, it’s only natural for us to start wondering: what about Black Phone 3?

Turns out, the folks behind the frights are already pondering the possibility, but they're not just rushing into it. Director Scott Derrickson, co-writer C. Robert Cargill, original author Joe Hill, and even star Ethan Hawke have some pretty specific (and exciting!) ideas about what it would take to bring a third installment to life. Let’s dive into what they’re saying and what it means for the future of this chilling franchise.

Director Scott Derrickson's Uncompromising Standard for Continuing the Narrative

If you know anything about Scott Derrickson, you know he’s not one to churn out sequels just for the sake of it. He’s got a very clear and incredibly high standard when it comes to extending a story, and he’s not shy about it. His philosophy is simple, yet daunting: a sequel needs to be better than its predecessor, and a third film needs to top both the first and second.

"What I can say [about what's next] is that my attitude toward a sequel is that there's really no justification for making a sequel unless you are genuinely attempting to make a movie that's better than the first movie you're making a sequel to. If you're going to make a third one, it needs to be better than the second one, which is better than the first one. Very few films do that."

– Scott Derrickson to Variety

Derrickson even pointed to Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead trilogy and George A. Romero’s original Night of the Living Dead trilogy as the rare examples of franchises that actually manage to get progressively better with each entry. That’s some serious company to keep! This isn’t just about making a "good" movie; it’s about making a genuinely superior one.

His commitment to innovation over imitation is also strong. Derrickson has explicitly stated that he has "no interest in changing the character's lore for the sake of it" or simply doing a "retread." He wants to avoid feeling like they're just establishing "new rules for the Grabber. So let's just do that again." For him, it has to be fresh, impactful, and truly push the boundaries of the story and characters.

We saw this philosophy in action with Black Phone 2 itself. Derrickson initially had no plans for a sequel after the first film. It wasn't until Joe Hill presented him with some fresh, compelling ideas that his mind started "noodling on it." The decision to wait and age up Finney (Mason Thames) and Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) to high school allowed for a different kind of horror. Derrickson consciously shifted the tone, making it a "high school horror movie [that] demands more violence and more scariness than a middle school supernatural thriller." He embraced '80s summer camp slasher influences but uniquely set it in winter camps, proving his dedication to evolving the scares without rehashing.

Unpacking the Transformative Storytelling of Black Phone 2

Black Phone 2 truly delivered on Derrickson's promise to elevate the experience, taking the chilling tale of Finney and Gwen into new, darker territory. The film picks up four years after the terrifying events of the first movie, exploring the lingering trauma on the siblings. Finney is now an angry, pot-smoking teenager prone to fistfights, masking his fear. Gwen, meanwhile, continues to develop her psychic abilities, inherited from her late mother, Hope (Anna Lore), but struggles with the fear of going "crazy like her mom," who tragically took her own life.

The biggest game-changer? The Grabber (Ethan Hawke) returns not as a flesh-and-blood killer, but as a "vengeful spirit." This Freddy Krueger-esque twist sees him gaining new powers, particularly at the Alpine Lake Camp, where he committed his initial set of horrifying murders, hiding the bodies of three boys beneath the ice. We learn his real name, Wild Bill Hickok, and uncover the tragic truth that he also murdered Gwen's mother, who shared Gwen's psychic gifts.

The film brilliantly uses visual techniques, like Super 8 footage, to distinguish between Gwen’s terrifying dreams and reality, immersing viewers in her struggle. The climax is a powerful blend of supernatural action and emotional release, as Finney and Gwen, with the help of their reformed father (Jeremy Davies) and new allies like counselor Armando (Demián Bichir) and Gwen’s crush Ernesto (Miguel Mora), confront The Grabber. By retrieving the bodies of his past victims, they help release their spirits, which, in turn, helps Finney and Gwen "decimate" The Grabber’s supernatural influence, ending his reign of terror from beyond the grave. The film offers a sense of closure with Gwen receiving a final, poignant phone call from her mother in the afterlife, and notably, doesn't feature a post-credits scene, reinforcing its self-contained narrative while leaving room for the growth of its characters.

Creative Voices Speak: Joe Hill and Ethan Hawke's Intriguing Pitches for a Threequel

Even before Black Phone 2 hit cinemas, the creative team was tossing around ideas for what could come next, proving the story still has a hold on them. Original author Joe Hill, who also pitched the core idea for the second film ("A phone rings, Finney answers, and it's The Grabber calling from Hell"), has a compelling vision for a third installment.

Hill suggests a "dual stars" approach for Black Phone 3. "One of the things which is fun about Black Phone is the first story is about Finney in danger and his sister trying to save him," Hill told Variety. "He’s the lead, and she’s the key second character. But in this film, there’s a flip where Gwen is the lead character and her brother is trying to save her. To me, the logical thing is if there is a third film, they are dual stars where they’re sitting trying to save each other." This would be a fantastic evolution, showcasing the siblings' combined strength and unique abilities, while furthering their bond that forms the emotional core of the franchise.

And then there's Ethan Hawke, the terrifying man behind The Grabber's masks. His idea for Black Phone 3 is nothing short of audacious. Given The Grabber's supernatural status in Black Phone 2, Hawke wants to explore his character's ultimate fate: Hell. "I'd like to go to hell with the Grabber," Hawke revealed to Entertainment Weekly. "That would be my dream for the third one, to let it be a character piece about what made him, who he is now, and how he's haunting other people's dreams." This would be a bold move, shifting focus from the victims to the villain, offering an unprecedented look into the mind and origins of pure evil.

Both Hill and Hawke's pitches are genuinely fresh and avoid Derrickson's feared "retread" trap. They present exciting new directions for the characters and the lore, which would certainly meet Derrickson's high bar for innovation, assuming a script could tie it all together seamlessly.

Blumhouse's Proven Track Record: A Fertile Ground for Horror Franchises

Let's be real: when a horror movie does well, especially one from Blumhouse, a sequel is almost a given. Blumhouse Productions has built an empire on turning modestly budgeted scares into hugely profitable and often long-running franchises. Think Paranormal Activity, Insidious, or their successful revival of the Halloween series. They have a knack for identifying concepts that resonate with audiences and can sustain multiple entries without breaking the bank.

Black Phone 2's box office performance—outpacing the first film's domestic debut and securing a worldwide opening of $42 million on a $30 million budget—fits perfectly within Blumhouse's winning model. This financial success is a huge green light for the studio, indicating strong audience interest and a clear demand for more from this universe. While director Scott Derrickson and co-writer C. Robert Cargill emphasize the creative challenge, the financial incentive for a Black Phone 3 is undeniably there.

Cargill reiterated that ultimately, it "all comes down to: 'Is there a good enough idea to justify us putting a year of our life into making that?'" The studio wants more, the creators are open, but the idea has to be "really great and inspiring." The combination of Blumhouse's track record and the creative team's high standards suggests that if a Black Phone 3 happens, it will be because a truly compelling concept emerged, not just because of box office pressure.

The Big Question: Will The Black Phone Ring a Third Time?

So, where does all this leave us? Is Black Phone 3 happening? As of now, nothing is officially confirmed. Director Scott Derrickson has been clear that there haven't been formal conversations about a third film, and he takes it "one film at a time," ensuring each movie feels complete.

However, the stars are aligning in a very promising way. Black Phone 2 has proven its financial viability, demonstrating a hungry audience. More importantly, the creative team—Derrickson, Hill, and Hawke—are not only open to the idea but are actively brainstorming unique and compelling ways to continue the story, fulfilling Derrickson's demanding "better than the last" creative imperative.

Whether it's exploring Finney and Gwen as "dual stars" battling evil together, diving into the psychological torment of The Grabber in Hell, or finding another entirely fresh angle that hasn't been discussed yet, the potential for an exciting and high-quality third film is certainly there. The phone is still ringing, and horror fans are eagerly waiting to see if Hollywood picks up again for another terrifying call.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Black Phone Franchise

When was Black Phone 2 released in theaters?

Black Phone 2 premiered in theaters on October 17, 2025.

Where can I watch Black Phone 2 for streaming?

As a Universal Pictures release, Black Phone 2 will eventually be available for exclusive streaming on Peacock during its Pay-1 window. A specific date for its streaming debut has not yet been announced.

What is the runtime and rating for Black Phone 2?

Black Phone 2 has a runtime of 114 minutes. The rating is R for its horror elements, violence, and mature themes.

Is Black Phone 3 officially confirmed?

No, Black Phone 3 is not officially confirmed at this time. Director Scott Derrickson and the creative team have expressed a willingness to make a third film only if a truly compelling and innovative idea emerges that surpasses the previous two installments.

Sources

• Aedan Juvet. "The Black Phone Director Reveals His Requirement for a Third Film." Bleeding Cool. Sun, 26 Oct 2025.
• Jack Dunn. "‘Black Phone 2’ Director Scott Derrickson on Perfect Horror Sequels, Making High School Scares and His Thoughts About ‘Black Phone 3’." Variety. Oct 20, 2025.
• Joe George. "Scott Derrickson has killed a lot of people. And a surprising amount of them have been children." Polygon. October 20, 2025.
• Newsdesk. "Scott Derrickson insist Black Phone 3 can only happen on one major condition." News. 6 days ago (from Oct 27, 2025 context implies Oct 21, 2025).
• Chris Tilly. "Will there be a Black Phone 3? Ethan Hawke and author Joe Hill have already pitched ideas." TV & Movies. Oct 20, 2025.
• ScreenRant. "6 Ways Black Phone 3 Could Happen." ScreenRant. (No explicit date, but discusses current film's ending.)
• Santanu Roy. "Black Phone 3: Scott Derrickson Reveals What It Would Take for Black Phone 2 Sequel." FandomWire. 10/18/2025.