Five Nights at Freddy's 3 taps It and Annabelle writer Gary Dauberman for the script

Gary Dauberman, the writer behind the 2017 It reboot, its sequel, and Annabelle, is reportedly in talks to write the script for Five Nights at Freddy's 3. The news comes via Dread Central and The Hollywood Reporter, and marks the first concrete sign that Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Universal are actively developing a third film.

Dauberman's horror credentials run deep — his credits also include The Nun, last year's Until Dawn movie, and he's attached to upcoming adaptations of Street Fighter and Helldivers. Director Emma Tammi, who helmed both previous FNaF films, is expected to return, and series creator Scott Cawthon is anticipated to come back as a producer. Stars Josh Hutcherson, Piper Rubio, and Elizabeth Lail haven't officially signed on, but The Hollywood Reporter says many cast members are expected to return. Whether Dauberman will write solo or share credit remains unclear.

Five Nights at Freddy's 3 hasn't been formally announced, but the financial case for it is hard to argue with. The first film — co-written by Cawthon and Tammi — grossed $291.5 million worldwide and briefly became Blumhouse's biggest ever at the time of release. The 2025 sequel, written by Seth Cuddeback, pulled in $238.5 million globally. Critics have been brutal to both — Rotten Tomatoes has the first at 33% and the second at just 17% — while audiences have stayed loyal, scoring them 85% and 82% respectively. IGN rated the first a 4/10 and the second a 3/10.

Bringing in Dauberman looks like a deliberate attempt to close that critic-audience gap. With a proven horror screenwriter now reportedly on board, Blumhouse and Universal are clearly betting the animatronics have at least one more box office run left in them.