Brightburn 3

Brightburn 3 is a 2024 American superhero horror film produced by James Gunn and directed by David Yarovesky. It is the sequel to Brightburn 2 and Brightburn. In the film, set shortly after the end of the previous film, Brandon (Dunn) is now settled into life as a superhero named Brightburn and a boyfriend for Caitlyn Connor (Hunter), while having to deal with Alien King (Keaton), with a historical connection to him, as well as Shrink Man (Wilson)
After noticing the box-office returns of the second film, David Yarovesky comissioned a third film. Tim Williams refused to return due to contractual disputes, and Danny Elfman was brought in. The film was released on April 8, 2024, gaining positive reviews for the cast performances, as well as the story, with many deeming it to be a satisfactory conclusion to the trilogy. The film has gained $567.4 million worldwide.
== Plot ==
Brandon, now in high school, has just gotten his test back. When he sees that it is an A minus, Caitlyn Connor, his girlfriend, comforted him with back scratches. While many people mock them, Caitlyn ignores it. After class is dismissed, Brandon and Caitlyn, holding hands, notice a poster for the upcoming prom, where they agree to attend. A few minutes later, school is dismissed. After that, Brandon hears about a nearby break-in, and after putting on his Brightburn mask, goes to stop the break-in, and uses his super-speed, rendering the burglar unable to move in time for the police to arrive and sedate him.
Meanwhile, Alien King hears about a small-time crook that goes by the name of Shrink Man, who can shrink to any size and has chemicals that can make anyone sick. He then flies off to meet him. They then agree to the plan to do what they could, but in a careful manner to ensure Brightburn does not find out.
After unwinding, Brandon smiles at a picture of him and Caitlyn at the Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City, as well as writing in his diary of his latest heroic deed. Meanwhile, Alien King secretly meets up with Shrink Man at the same forest that the Breyers camped out at. Then, he sends him to deal with Caitlyn, leaving Alien King overjoyed that it would move up the plan, where Crimson Bolt was secretly watching. He then informed Brandon that the threat was identified as the Alien King, and told him that he was going to gather up some other superpowered beings, and will let him know when they assembled.
Brandon agrees to the plan, and goes down to dinner. Meanwhile, Shrink Man goes to Caitlyn's house, and after he sees she is about to write a text message to Brandon, he uses his shrink powers, then enters her mouth, where he then goes into her stomach, and uses his chemicals in it, causing Caitlyn to throw up as Shrink Man escapes, and informs Alien King about what had happened.
The next day, Brandon had gotten a text message from Caitlyn, telling him she's sick, where he writes her a reply, wishing for her to get well soon. Brandon has a sense of optimism for Caitlyn to recover in time for the Prom.
Alien King and Shrink Man then go to a nearby airport, where they agreed to lure Brightburn out. After they see Noah about to board a plane, Alien King kills him by snapping his neck, then placing his corpse into a trash can. Meanwhile, Kyle and Tori inform their son of Noah's death, causing him to cry. Brandon is then informed by Crimson Bolt that the team is assembled.
After putting on his mask, Brightburn flies off to the scene, where he reveals that he is a Brimmertonian, an alien species originally sent to counquer Earth, but turned his ways around, and even reveals that he and Caitlyn Connor are dating. With Crimson Bolt attatching metal of Brightburn's baby ship to his costume, as well as making a dagger with some of the metal. With that, the heroes set off to the airport. 
After their arrival, Alien King mocks Brightburn for being a hero, where he agrees to aid Crimson Bolt in fighting Alien King, while Leviathan and Goth-Witch go and fight Shrink Man. The ensuing fight damages seveal windows, as well as multiple planes and jet bridges. Leviathan seizes an advantage, and uses his strength to paralyze Shrink Man, giving Goth-Witch the advantage to make the final blow, which she does by strangling him to death with her rope.
Meanwhile, Brightburn and Alien King are in a heat vision lock, giving Crimson Bolt enough time to use his dagger to implale him in the chest with it, killing him instantly.
5 days later, Caitlyn is now all better, and after prom preperations, Brandon is wearing a tuxedo with a red bowtie to match Caitlyn's red dress. After they arrive, Brandon and Caitlyn start to dance, where they kiss right in the middle of it.
Mid-credits scene: Brandon finishes dancing with Caitlyn. After burping and saying excuse me, he and Caitlyn start laughing.
== Cast ==
Jackson A. Dunn as Brandon Breyer / Brightburn: a superpowered alien who is adopted by the Breyer family. He is currently Caitlyn Connor's boyfriend.
Emmie Hunter as Caitlyn Connor: a girl who was scared of Brandon, and is now his girlfriend.
Rainn Wilson as Frank Darbo/Crimson Dynamo
Jennifer Holland as Brandon's P.E teacher
Elizabeth Banks as Tori Breyer: Brandon's adoptive mother and Kyle's wife
David Denman as Kyle Breyer: Brandon's adoptive father and Tori's husband
Meredith Hagner as Merilee McNichol: Tori's sister, Brandon's aunt and Noah's wife who works as Brandon's school counselor
Matt Jones as Noah McNichol: Brandon's uncle and Merilee's husband
Becky Wahlstrom as Erica Connor: who respects Brandon after the main events of the film
Michael Rooker as The Big T: a conspiracy theory blogger who reports on the super-powered beings
Dave Bautista as Leviathan, the half-human, half sea creature
Lauren LaVera as Goth-Witch, who chokes her victims with a rope
Micheal Keaton as Alien King, the ruler of Brimmerton
Patrick Wilson as Shrink Man, a small town crook with shrinking powers
== Development ==
David Yarovesky comissioned a third film. Tim Williams refused to return due to contractual disputes, and Danny Elfman was brought in. During the credits with the signatures of the entire cast, Down with the sickness by Disturbed plays. During the second credit roll, Stricken by Disturbed plays. The film was given an R rating for horror violence/bloody images, language, and unsettling images.
== Release ==
=== Theatrical ===
The film was released on April 8th, 2024 all over North America.
=== Home media ===
The film will be released on DVD, Blu-Ray, and 4K Ultra on January 6th, 2025.
== Reception ==
=== Box office ===
The film grossed $78.4 million against a production budget of $56 million.
=== Critical response ===
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 100%, with an average rating of 9.8/10. Critics stated that this "was the best film for Brightburn's confirmation as a full time hero." Kambole Campbell at Empire Online gave the film 5 out of 5 stars, stating that the film "provides us with a great conclusion to the entire trilogy."
== Soundtrack ==
Category:Sequels
Category:Sony Pictures Releasing
Category:R Rated Movies
Category:Superhero films