Black Phone 3: Ethan Hawke's Bold Ideas & Sequel Updates

After Black Phone 2 just dialed up the scares in theaters, everyone's buzzing about whether a third movie is on the horizon. We've got the inside scoop from none other than The Grabber himself, Ethan Hawke, along with director Scott Derrickson and writer C. Robert Cargill, about the terrifying future of this supernatural horror series!

TL;DR: Quick Bites on The Black Phone 3's Future

Black Phone 2 just hit theaters (October 17, 2025) and is already showing strong box office potential, suggesting a third film is commercially viable.
Star Ethan Hawke is very eager to return for Black Phone 3, envisioning a deep dive into The Grabber's "hell" and his origins.
Director Scott Derrickson and co-writer C. Robert Cargill are open to continuing the story, but only if they find a truly "great and inspiring" idea that justifies another year of their lives.

Breaking Down Black Phone 2's Initial Box Office Performance and Fan Reception

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Alright, horror fans, get ready! Black Phone 2 officially dropped into theaters on October 17, 2025, and it’s already making some noise. The sequel, from Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions, pulled in a solid $2.6 million just from its Thursday night previews. That's a great start and points towards a strong opening weekend.

Early projections for the film’s North American opening weekend are a bit varied, with some tracking it around $18 million and others hoping it could hit $23 million. Either way, considering its production budget was around $30 million, these numbers mean the movie is off to a commercially promising start. Remember, the first The Black Phone opened to $23.6 million in the U.S. and eventually racked up an impressive $161 million globally. If Black Phone 2 follows a similar path, it’s a big win for Blumhouse and sets a good precedent for more scary stories.

Fans have been super engaged, with social media buzzing about Ethan Hawke’s return and the film’s fresh approach to the horror sequel. Many are cheering on Hawke’s dedication, saying his involvement adds a layer of credibility and artistic intent that often gets lost in franchise extensions.

Will the Iconic Black Phone Ring Again for a Third Supernatural Horror Sequel?

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So, the big question on everyone’s mind is: will there be a Black Phone 3? Well, it's complicated, but in a good way! While studios are always keen on building film franchises (especially successful horror ones!), the creative minds behind The Black Phone series are taking a measured approach. Director Scott Derrickson and his writing partner, C. Robert Cargill, haven't officially had any conversations about a third movie yet.

Derrickson, speaking at Fantastic Fest 2025 after Black Phone 2's world premiere, emphasized his filmmaking philosophy: he tackles one film at a time, making each feel complete in itself. He respects franchises as a horror fan but insists that any project he commits to must feel like a definitive statement, not just a stepping stone to the next one.

"I understand that's the business of the studios, trying to create film franchises. And I certainly respect film franchises as a horror fan. But as a filmmaker, I have to go one film at a time, and any film that I work on, I have to feel like this might be the last one I get to do. So it had to be complete. We haven't had one conversation about a Black Phone 3, and I don't know that we will."

— Scott Derrickson, Director

C. Robert Cargill echoed this sentiment, expressing a desire to reunite with the talented cast (Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, and Ethan Hawke). He mused, "Would we love to get the band back together? Absolutely. Would I love to explore those characters some more? I thought about it. But it all comes down to: Is there a good enough idea to justify us putting a year of our life into making that?" It's clear they're not interested in a sequel just for the sake of it; the idea has to be truly compelling.

Ethan Hawke's Spine-Chilling Vision: A Journey into The Grabber's Underworld for Black Phone 3

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One person who is definitely on board for more Grabber action is Ethan Hawke himself! He sat down with Entertainment Weekly and shared some "bonkers" ideas for a potential third film that would delight fans craving deeper lore.

Hawke, who usually steers clear of sequels because he feels "so often they turn into corporate money grabs," was deeply impressed by director Scott Derrickson’s vision for Black Phone 2. He praised it for being "innovative and creative," feeling like a "spiritual evolution" akin to how Road Warrior built on Mad Max. For him, Black Phone 2 wasn't a cash grab but a film "pushing boundaries" and having "something to say." This artistic integrity is precisely why he's so keen to return.

His dream for Black Phone 3? A character study of the villain. "I would like to go to hell with the Grabber. That's what I'd like to do. I'd like to get to know him. 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 could explore his backstory, motivations, family history, and unresolved trauma, giving the series a whole new depth that many horror franchises often miss.

"I would like to go to hell with the Grabber. I want to know him better. That would be my dream for the third one."

— Ethan Hawke on his idea for Black Phone 3

Director Scott Derrickson Sets a High Standard for Expanding the Black Phone Universe

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When it comes to sequels, Scott Derrickson doesn't just aim for "good" – he aims for "great." He specifically pointed out that in his opinion, there are only "two great horror trilogies": Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead trilogy and George A. Romero’s original Night of the Living Dead and its two direct sequels, Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead. What makes them great? Derrickson believes that in both cases, "the sequel is better than the original, and the third film is better than the sequel."

That’s a seriously high bar to clear! He's committed to that level of quality: "I don't know how I could possibly continue to work on any film franchise unless I was at least trying to do that." This dedication to improving with each installment is a huge comfort to fans, assuring them that a potential Black Phone 3 wouldn't be rushed or made just to cash in. It would have to genuinely elevate the narrative and horror elements established in the first two films.

From a "Dumb Idea" to a Hit Sequel: How Black Phone 2 Came to Life

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It’s fascinating how Black Phone 2 even happened, especially since the first movie felt pretty self-contained. Turns out, the spark for the sequel came from none other than Joe Hill, the author of the original short story that inspired the first film. Cargill recounted Hill calling him with what he described as a "dumb idea."

"The core idea was, 'A phone rings, Finny answers, and it's The Grabber calling from Hell.'" And just like that, the floodgates opened. Other chilling ideas, like The Grabber's mask becoming his actual face, also came from Hill. This "call from hell" concept set up the mythology perfectly, allowing the creative team to explore new dimensions of terror and power for the villain, even after his death in the first film.

This willingness to embrace bold, seemingly "dumb" ideas (that turn out to be brilliant!) is a hallmark of the franchise. It shows that if another similarly hooky, inspiring concept for Black Phone 3 surfaces, whether from Hill or elsewhere, Derrickson and Cargill would definitely consider it. As Derrickson said about the first sequel, "the day after opening weekend, Jeff Shell, the chairman of NBCUniversal, emailed me and said, 'You're going to make a sequel, right?' And I was like, 'I have no idea.'" So, never say never!

The Future of Finney and Gwen: Will Our Protagonists Return for More Haunts?

Black Phone 2 saw the return of Mason Thames as Finney and Madeleine McGraw as Gwen, with Ethan Hawke reprising his chilling role as The Grabber. The sequel picks up four years after the first film, with Finney, now 17, still grappling with the trauma of his captivity. The focus shifts somewhat to Gwen, 15, who starts receiving calls in her dreams from the black phone and experiencing disturbing visions of boys being stalked at a winter camp called Alpine Lake.

The Grabber, now "more powerful in death," physically harms Gwen in her dreams, leaning heavily into Nightmare on Elm Street territory – something Ethan Hawke acknowledges. Gwen eventually convinces Finney to visit the camp, uncovering a "shattering intersection between The Grabber and her own family's history." It's a deeply personal connection that raises the stakes significantly.

If a third film moves forward, it’s highly probable that Thames and McGraw would return. Cargill explicitly mentioned wanting to "get the band back together." Their dynamic as siblings, and their individual battles with The Grabber’s legacy, are central to the series’ emotional core. A Black Phone 3 would likely continue to explore how Finney and Gwen cope with their past and confront the evolving threat of The Grabber.

Unpacking the Creative Hurdles and Possibilities for Black Phone 3's Development

While the enthusiasm from the cast and crew is high, making Black Phone 3 isn't a given. The creators are committed to a story-first approach, meaning they won't force a sequel just because the box office numbers are good. The biggest hurdle, as Derrickson and Cargill made clear, is finding an idea that is "really great and inspiring" enough to dedicate another year of their lives to. They need that fresh, innovative spark, much like Joe Hill’s "Grabber calling from Hell" idea for the second film.

Ethan Hawke’s suggestion of exploring The Grabber's descent into "hell" as a character piece offers a compelling direction. This could allow for bigger set pieces and more intense, visually distinctive dream sequences, potentially with a larger budget. Imagine diving into the psychological horror of what twisted him into the child abductor and murderer he became, potentially linking it to some "family history and unresolved trauma" as Hawke hinted.

There was an unconfirmed report suggesting that Black Phone 3 is "reportedly in the works" and would be filmed in Mississauga, Ontario. However, given Derrickson and Cargill's recent statements about no conversations having taken place, this should be treated as speculative at best. Official confirmation about filming locations and production timelines would only come after a solid script and a green light are in place.

Ultimately, the future of The Black Phone franchise hinges on the creative team finding that next groundbreaking idea. If they can maintain the artistic integrity and deliver another evolution of the story, as Hawke believes they did with Black Phone 2, then fans can look forward to more chilling calls from The Grabber's world.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Black Phone 3

When did Black Phone 2 come out in theaters?

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

Who is confirmed to return for Black Phone 3?

Currently, no cast members are officially confirmed for a potential Black Phone 3, as the film itself hasn't been greenlit. However, Ethan Hawke has expressed strong interest in returning, and director Scott Derrickson and writer C. Robert Cargill would love to work with original stars Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw again if a suitable story emerges.

Will Black Phone 3 be available on streaming?

If Black Phone 3 gets made, it would likely follow a theatrical release first, similar to its predecessors. Universal Pictures usually has its films available for streaming on Peacock and for digital rental/purchase several weeks after their theatrical debut, but specific streaming plans would only be announced much closer to a potential release date.

What is The Black Phone series rated?

Both The Black Phone and Black Phone 2 are rated R for strong violent content, bloody images, and language. It's expected that a third installment would maintain a similar rating due to the nature of its horror themes and mature content.

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