Warning: Smile 2 spoilers and body horror descriptions.
The Smiling Curse strikes again in Smile 2the sequel to the 2022 blockbuster that goes beyond its predecessor. Written and directed by Parker Finn, the new film chooses not to follow SmileThe film’s last survivor instead opens with the scene in which he tries to get rid of the curse and accidentally passes it on to Lewis Fregoli (Lukas Gage), a bystander who in turn implicates his childhood friend Skye Riley (Naomi Scott ) in the curse. Skye’s story drives much of Smile 2Scott’s narrative, serving as Scott’s most successful project since his breakout success Aladdinbut Gage’s Lewis remains one of the film’s most memorable characters.
Before his grotesque smile was plastered all over billboards, Gage had already gained loyal fans thanks to his roles in high-profile television series such as Euphoria, The White Lotusand more recently The Sandman spin off Dead Boys Detectives. Your modest charm lends itself to your Smile 2 backstory, in which he is a drug dealer and enabler of Skye’s addiction, while also remaining one of her last links to her adolescence before her uncontrollable fame. Additionally, her death scene – in which the Entity curses Skye while Lewis hits himself in the head with an iron weight – sets the tone for body horror throughout the film.
TelaRant interviewed Gage about his preparation for the role of Lewis in Smile 2how the original film affected him and which of his iconic TV roles he most hopes to return to in future seasons.
Lukas Gage reveals the physical work involved in his role in Scary Smile 2
“What are some subtle micro-movements on your face that you can do to really instill fear in people?”
Screen Rant: Did you watch the first one Smile in cinemas? How aware were you of the phenomenon and where did you rank on the Frito meter?
Lukas Gage: I would definitely rate it highly. I watched it in theaters. I was obsessed with it and wrote Parker an email as soon as I saw it. I said, “You’re amazing. You’re an incredible filmmaker. You’re doing things in the horror genre that I’ve never seen before, so congratulations.” And then, about a year and a half later, he talked about this movie.
Screen Rant: Just watching it makes me feel like I’m inviting evil into my life, which makes me wonder if you’ve ever had a “Scottish play” moment in it. Did you have to cheer yourself up in any way to work on the sequel? Because the scares are level in this one.
Lukas Gage: Yes, the scares are bigger. They’re edgier, a little crazier, and a little more expensive. They definitely had the money for the sequel. [Laughs]
But I think I did a lot of preparation, especially with the movement work, which I’ve never done before. I worked with a lady called Julia Crockett, who does a lot of movement work, and we worked on micromovements. It’s about having little movements in your face, having the nuances in them, and the difference in doing something broad where you can go big and be absolutely off balance versus tense and closed off, when you have that smile to do. What are some of the subtle micro-movements on your face that you can do to really instill fear in people?
Screen Rant: Speaking of smile, Parker said his smile was one he really wanted to make sure was perfect because it’s the smile in the movie. What does it take to make that smile perfect? How many takes did you have to do?
Lukas Gage: Not many takes, but I think the trick to smiling is stillness and time spent. And like I said, these micromovements and small expressions in the eyes and mouth help to have isolation on the face; The separation between having a big smile and being dead behind your eyes is the trick to getting it right.
Breaking Down Smile 2’s Most Horrifying Death Scene
“It’s one of the things I’ve done that is legitimately the hardest to watch.”
Screen Rant: His death scene was absolutely horrible. What’s that like on the day? Hopefully you’re not actually beating yourself in the face with workout equipment, so what are you having to do and how do you do it?
Lukas Gage: Yes, the prosthetics were amazing. The guys who did this made a mold of my face and did several different layers of how much impact this object made and what this weight on my face would do to my face. Then [it’s about] displaying it accurately.
Dude, look. It was a plastic weight, but we were really committed to it. We were going with everything. And I’m really surprised at how shocking it is to watch, because I was there that day. I was the actor and I knew there was a whole film crew. But it’s one of the things I’ve done that is legitimately the hardest to watch. It’s disturbing.
Screen Rant: That scene between Skye and Lewis is tense on many levels, but there’s also the psychological aspects of them being old friends and also him potentially enabling his addictions. Did you and Naomi or Parker discuss the backstory and how many times did they cross paths in the intervening years?
Lukas Gage: Yes, there was a little [of discussion] between me and Naomi, just having a clear history of their friendship and what kind of friendship they had. What was it like growing up, what was their friendship like before fame came along and what did fame do to that friendship? Why is he enabling her instead of being a more supportive friend to someone who is clearly trying to get help and get clean? And how much of that is impacted by her being famous?
Screen Rant: You obviously emailed Parker, but did you know he was going to be one of the big faces in marketing? His face is everywhere in Los Angeles now. How do you emotionally prepare for this?
Lukas Gage: I had no idea! I just wanted to be a part of this project in some way, so when he asked me to audition, I immediately [jumped]. I remember the second I got the email, just printing it out, going to the mirror, and practicing my smile.
You never know if it’s going to happen, but I had a lot of faith in Parker. I just think he’s one of the best filmmakers and knows this genre better than anyone. So I knew I was in good hands, but I’m honored to be in the promotion.
Lukas Gage campaigns for the return of the cat king of dead detectives
“I know there’s something in my heart that hopes for this in Sandman.”
Screen Rant: Are you now looking to take that skill set outside of the horror world or are you looking for more horror projects?
Lukas Gage: I love the horror genre. I’m not just saying this, but a big reason I became an actor was watching Nightmare on Elm Street with my mom as a kid; watching Hellraiser and all those Leprechaun movies. I don’t know what my mother was doing. [Laughs] I was six or seven years old and she was showing all the horror franchises, and I was just begging her to keep watching more and more. I love them very much.
There’s a sense of mental value I get from horror films as horrible as they are. There’s a nostalgia that comes from growing up and being a little boy watching these movies with my mom and being scared. I think it’s fun, so I would love to be a Scream King.
Screen Speech: Beyond Smile 2you’ve been racking up some fan-favorite roles in iconic projects like Euphoria, The White Lotusand Dead Boys Detectives – which breaks my heart that it was cancelled. But is there any chance you’d be interested in resurrecting Dylan or Tyler for the other shows?
Lukas Gage: Look, there’s always a chance. There is always the opportunity to combine different characters from different seasons into one series, or for a character to return after a long period of time to get revenge. So I will say never say never. Fingers crossed.
And I just think maybe Cat King could come back. I know there’s something in my heart that hopes for that in Sandman. I’m just saying I’m going to call Cat King.
More about Smile 2 (2024)
About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins to experience increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the mounting horrors and pressures of fame, Skye is forced to confront her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.
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Smile 2 is currently showing in theaters.