The Fourth and Final 'Terrifier' Movie Gets a Scary Good Update From Director

2 days ago 6

David Howard Thornton as Art the Clown in 'Terrifier 2' during Sienna Shaw's (Lauren LaVera) nightmare sequence.

Published Feb 25, 2026, 3:41 PM EST

Back in 2021, Hannah’s love of all things nerdy collided with her passion for writing — and she hasn’t stopped since. She covers pop culture news, writes reviews, and conducts interviews on just about every kind of media imaginable. If she’s not talking about something spooky, she’s talking about gaming, and her favorite moments in anything she’s read, watched, or played are always the scariest ones. For Hannah, nothing beats the thrill of discovering what’s lurking in the shadows or waiting around the corner for its chance to go bump in the night. Once described as “strictly for the sickos,” she considers it the highest of compliments.

Recent rumors surrounding Terrifier 4 have sparked widespread confusion among horror fans, but franchise creator Damien Leone has stepped in to set the record straight about the sequel’s status. After social media posts began circulating in mid-January claiming the fourth installment had secured an October 2026 release window. However, as was previously reported by Collider, no official announcement supporting that timeline had ever been made by Leone or the film’s production team.

Those claims were already challenged by Art the Clown actor David Howard Thornton, who directly responded to the viral posts spreading the supposed release window. “That’s news to me. We haven’t even remotely started filming,” Thornton wrote in multiple comment threads. Similar confusion was echoed during Collider’s recent Twisted Q&A, where franchise star Lauren LaVera also addressed the speculation. “I don't know anything and that's the God's honest truth,” LaVera said. “I've been seeing online people are like, ‘Terrifier 4, October 2026.’ I'm like, ‘What the fuck are you talking about?’ … Damien's still writing it.” Her comments further reinforced that the film remained in early development despite viral claims suggesting otherwise.

Now, Leone himself has issued an official update clarifying where Terrifier 4 actually stands.

Taking to social media today, Leone addressed ongoing speculation while offering the clearest look yet at the sequel’s progress. According to the writer/director, the script is nearing completion, with pre-production beginning potentially as soon as this spring. “The script is very close to completion, and I’m hoping to begin pre-production this spring,” Leone wrote. He described the project as both creatively and emotionally significant, calling it “the most precious script I’ve written” while also acknowledging it has been his most challenging.

“There’s a lot of material to tackle and a lot riding on this one, not just creatively but emotionally.”

Leone emphasized that the final chapter carries weight not only for himself but for the cast, crew, and fans who have supported the franchise since its indie beginnings. “We’ve built something special together over the years,” he added, promising a finale that honors longtime collaborators and delivers something “unforgettable” for audiences. Leone also directly addressed the misinformation circulating online, urging fans to rely only on updates shared or confirmed through his official channels. “If you don’t see it coming from or confirmed by me, then it’s not official,” he stated after confirming that he will make an official announcement when the script is complete and pre-production begins.

So while Terrifier 4 does not have a confirmed filming start or release window, Leone’s update signals meaningful forward momentum. For now, fans awaiting Art the Clown’s final act will need patience, but remain hopeful due to Leone’s own confidence: “I’m thrilled with the way it’s turning out and confident it will deliver.”