Get ready to grip your popcorn a little tighter, because Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 is shaping up to be a wild ride. Horror icon Matthew Lillard, who plays the chilling William Afton, recently dropped some tantalizing hints about the upcoming sequel, promising fans more jump scares and a hefty dose of action compared to the 2023 original. With the film set to hit theaters on December 5, 2025, Lillard’s comments have sent the FNAF fandom into a frenzy, eager for a bigger, bolder return to Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza.
Amping Up the Scares
In a chat with ComingSoon.net, Lillard revealed that the sequel’s script, penned by FNAF creator Scott Cawthon, is a direct response to fan feedback from the first film. “Scott, as a primary storyteller, listened to the audience,” Lillard said. “He knows that community so well. And I think he’s responded with a script that… maybe it has more jump scares. Maybe it’s a little more action-packed.” While he played coy, adding, “I’m not here to say ‘yes it is’ or ‘no it’s not,’” his enthusiasm was clear: “Fans are gonna love this next movie.”
The first Five Nights at Freddy’s was a massive hit, raking in nearly $300 million worldwide on a $20 million budget, despite a simultaneous Peacock release. But not everyone was thrilled with its scare factor. Some fans, like Redditor @Stuck_at_a_roadblock, argued it needed “a ridiculous amount of jumpscares” to match the games’ heart-pounding intensity. Lillard’s tease suggests the sequel aims to deliver just that, doubling down on the animatronic terror that made the games a YouTube sensation.
A Bigger, Bolder Freddy’s
Lillard’s not the only one hyping up the sequel. Co-star Josh Hutcherson, who returns as security guard Mike Schmidt, told Esquire that Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 is “much bigger” and “scarier,” with “more animatronics” and a world that “opens up in a big way.” The introduction of new characters, including the eerie Toy animatronics like Toy Freddy, hints at a broader, more chaotic setting. A teaser trailer dropped by Universal Pictures in April 2025 showcased these new threats, fueling speculation about how far the film will stray from the second game’s plot.
Lillard echoed this sentiment in an Entertainment Tonight interview, calling the film “action-packed” and “fan-centric.” He credited Cawthon and director Emma Tammi for learning from the first film’s mixed critical reception (32% on Rotten Tomatoes, but an 86% audience score). “The storytelling’s been amped up,” Lillard told Collider, noting that the team addressed fan critiques to craft a sequel that feels “improved” and “expanded.”
William Afton’s Return
Lillard’s character, William Afton, met a grim fate in the first film, but his iconic line—“I always come back”—promised more. Behind-the-scenes images shared by YouTuber Dawko in January 2025 confirmed Lillard’s return, showing Afton in what fans believe is a flashback scene with his daughter Vanessa (Elizabeth Lail). While the exact nature of his role remains murky, Lillard’s excitement is infectious. “I think fans are going to lose their mind with this film,” he told CinemaBlend.
The returning cast, including Hutcherson, Lail, and Piper Rubio as Abby, will face new horrors, with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop once again bringing the animatronics to life. Despite sticking to a PG-13 rating—a choice Lillard confirmed to Forbes to maintain the first film’s broad appeal—the sequel aims to push the boundaries of tension and excitement.
Fan Frenzy and What’s Next
The FNAF community is eating up Lillard’s teases. X posts from accounts like @HollywoodHandle have amplified the hype, with fans thrilled about a “more action-packed” and “improved” sequel. With filming wrapping up after starting in October 2024, per Lillard’s Collider update, a full trailer could drop by summer 2025, possibly at San Diego Comic-Con.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 is poised to be a love letter to fans, balancing the franchise’s creepy roots with blockbuster thrills. As Lillard put it, “The fans fell in love with what we did, and I think they’re giving a lot more of that.” Whether it’s more jump scares, bigger action, or deeper lore, one thing’s clear: Freddy and friends are back, and they’re not playing nice. Mark your calendars for December 5, 2025, and keep those security cameras on—you’ll need them.
