Naomi Scott has been set to star in Paramount Pictures untitled sequel to its hit horror pic Smile. Parker Finn wrote the script and will direct. Temple Hill is producing.

The original became a runaway hit last year after Paramount Pictures made the smart move from going from it premiering on Paramount+ to bowing in theaters. The gamble paid off as the film went on to gross $217 million worldwide with a sequel quickly put in development. The original film revolved around a psychiatrist, who after witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, becomes increasingly convinced she is being threatened by an uncanny entity. Plot details for the sequel are being kept under wraps.

Given the popularity of the first pic, Paramount sees the film as a top priority going forward at the studio and the casting process was extremely competitive with several up-and-coming stars chasing the part that Scott would eventually land. The film will be released on Oct. 18, 2024.

Best known for her star-making role as Princess Jasmine in the live-action Aladdin adapation, Scott just wrapped Eternal Return, the first film under her production banner, New Name Entertainment, which is also being produced and financed by MACRO and Village Roadshow. She stars opposite Kit Harrington and Simon Callow in this magical realism romance directed by Yaniv Raz.

She will next be seen in David Michôd‘s highly anticipated A24 feature, Wizards!, as the female lead opposite Pete Davidson and Orlando Bloom.

EXCLUSIVE: Dylan Gelula (Dream Scenario) has joined Paramount Pictures‘ untitled sequel to Smile, the 2022 horror thriller from Parker Finn, which went on to outsized success in theaters after initially being set to debut on Paramount+.

The actress joins an ensemble that also includes Naomi Scott, Lukas Gage, Kyle Gallner and Rosemarie DeWitt, as previously announced.

Details as to the plot and cast members’ roles are under wraps. But Finn has returned to direct from his own script, with Temple Hill producing. The sequel is slated for release on October 18, 2024, when it will go up against an unnamed title from Universal Pictures.

It will never let go. Watch the new Teaser Trailer for #Smile2 - Only in theatres October 18. #SmileMovie

About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.