Fede Álvarez Confirmed Don't Breathe 3
The director announced plans to finish the thriller trilogy during an appearance at Beyond Fest 2026.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Horror
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Director Fede Álvarez has officially confirmed that a third installment of the Don't Breathe film franchise is in development. He is currently writing the script, with stars Stephen Lang and Jane Levy expected to return to their respective roles.
Why it matters
The announcement marks the official plan to conclude the thriller trilogy, which began with the 2016 original and continued in 2021. The return of the original filmmaker to the scriptwriting process signals a shift back to the creative roots of the first movie.
The first film earned an 8.8/10 rating from IGN, while the 2021 sequel received a 5/10 score from the same outlet.
The players
Fede Álvarez
He is a filmmaker and screenwriter who directed Alien: Romulus and the original Don't Breathe film.
Stephen Lang
He is an actor known for his role as Norman Nordstrom in the Don't Breathe horror series.
Jane Levy
She is an actress expected to reprise her role as Rocky from the first film in the franchise.
Sam Raimi
He is a prominent producer who oversaw the first two films in the Don't Breathe franchise.
Rodo Sayagues
He is a director who helmed the second installment of the thriller series.
The details
Fede Álvarez, who directed 2024's Alien: Romulus, is set to write the third installment of the series. Producers from the previous two films, including Sam Raimi, have been central to the franchise's trajectory thus far.
Timeline
Fede Álvarez and Jane Levy collaborated on Evil Dead in 2013.
The first Don't Breathe film was released in 2016.
Don't Breathe 2 arrived in theaters in 2021.
Alien: Romulus, directed by Fede Álvarez, was released in 2024.
The development of the third film was confirmed at Beyond Fest 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This project represents a return to a familiar thriller property for the director following his work on the Alien: Romulus production. The shift back to an established horror franchise mirrors broader industry trends where creators revisit successful intellectual property to anchor studio slates.
Fans of the franchise can expect future updates regarding theatrical release windows once the script enters the formal production stage. Access to the film will likely follow standard distribution models established by the previous two entries in the thriller series.
The takeaway
The return of the original director to the writing desk suggests a deliberate attempt to recapture the critical reception of the first movie. Audiences should look for future casting confirmations to verify which legacy characters will populate the final chapter.
Further reading
For more news on upcoming projects in the genre, visit our Horror section.
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