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Behind The Scenes With Creative Director John Murdy On Universal’s HHN Hollywood 2023

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Chucky Halloween Horror Nights

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood is an annual event held at the Universal Studios theme park in Hollywood, California. It is a unique event that occurs during the Halloween season, from September to October.

Chucky Ultimate Hill Count – Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights.

We had a chance to catch up with Creative Director and Executive Producer John Murdy for a quick behind-the-scenes look at this year’s house, “Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count. We stood outside a brand new haunted house for 2023, Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count, and we were face to face with a facade that resembled the Good Guys Toy Factory, similar to that of Child’s Play 2. Murdy began to talk to us about how and why this Chucky maze was constructed.

BTS – “Chucky Ultimate Kill Count.” All New Maze – Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights.
BTS – “Chucky Ultimate Kill Count.” All New Maze – Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights.

[Murdy Explains] “Obviously, we’ve had a long history with Chucky going back to the earliest days of Horror Nights. He had a show in the past; he was the host of the terror tram. He’s done all these things, but the one thing he hasn’t done is have a haunted house based exclusively on him, and that pisses him off! [Laughs] Because this is a very meta concept. When we first met with Don Mancini, who is the creator of Chucky, who we’ve known for years, Don had a specific idea. He wanted to create ‘Chucky’s Ultimate Kill Count’; he wanted us to be inspired by not only the Sci-Fi series but the entire franchise that Universal Produced. So, as we started developing this with Don and team, we decided to take it a step further. We thought we should play up this idea…”

BTS – “Chucky Ultimate Kill Count.” All New Maze – Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights.
BTS – “Chucky Ultimate Kill Count.” All New Maze – Universal Studios Hollywood
Halloween Horror Nights.
BTS – “Chucky Ultimate Kill Count.” All New Maze – Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights.
BTS – “Chucky Ultimate Count.” All New Maze – Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights.
BTS – “Chucky Ultimate Kill Count.” All New Maze – Universal Studios Hollywood
Halloween Horror Nights.
BTS – “Chucky Ultimate Kill Count.” All New Maze – Universal Studios Hollywood
Halloween Horror Nights.

“That little prelude that you saw tells you that you’re going into a scene called ‘Home Invasion.’ It’s very much inspired by the Sci-Fi series where there’s a house party in Season 1. Chucky crashes the party, brutally stabs that poor kid to death, and sets the house on fire; all of that is going on. There is a girl that is going to be down there, a live performer that is going to get her throat slit by Chucky. She’s been beheaded by a chandelier, and that’s a fully animated Chucky that is just stabbing, stabbing, stabbing!…”

BTS – “Chucky Ultimate Kill Count.” All New Maze – Universal Studios Hollywood
Halloween Horror Nights.
BTS – “Chucky Ultimate Kill Count.” All New Maze – Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights.

Each year, Halloween Horror Nights features a variety of haunted houses, where attendees can walk through carefully crafted and detailed scenes inspired by well-known horror franchises or original concepts. Additionally, there are scare zones scattered throughout the park, open areas themed around different horror themes where costumed actors interact with and scare guests. I truly believe that Chucky Ultimate Kill Count is going to be very popular and utterly amazing. The HHN visitors (guests in the park) are the stars of the show, and the goal of Chucky is to kill as many park visitors as possible, and every one of us is on the list. The house will feature Chucky in various stages as depicted in all of the Universal-produced films as well as the television series on the Sci-Fi Channel.

BTS – “Chucky Ultimate Kill Count.” All New Maze – Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights.
BTS – “Chucky Ultimate Kill Count.” All New Maze – Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights.
BTS – “Chucky Ultimate Kill Count.” All New Maze – Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights.
Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood – Creative Director and Executive Producer John Murdy

The full lineup of fear continues with eight haunted houses plus the Terror Tram experience:

The full 2023 lineup with eight haunted houses plus the Terror Tram experience:

  • “The Last of Us” is based on Naughty Dog and Playstation’s award-winning post-pandemic video game.
  • “Stranger Things 4” transports guests to Hawkins, Indiana, where they will face off against the evil Vecna in the fourth season of Netflix’s original series.
  • “The Exorcist: Believer” features a terrifying new chapter as Chris MacNeil fights a nefarious demonic force that has possessed two girls.
  • “Universal Monsters: Unmasked” expands on the Universal Monsters legacy with horror icons The Invisible Man, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Phantom of the Opera, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame coming together for the first time ever in a chilling new story.
  • “Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count” features the infamous slasher doll and his best kills throughout the series and films.
  • “Evil Dead Rise” brings guests to a new twisted tale in the Evil Dead franchise, based on the 2023 box office hit.
  • “Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America” includes Latin American folklore’s most terrifying ghosts and creatures.
  • “Holidayz in Hell” takes visitors on a petrifying trip through a series of psychotic seasonal celebrations.
  • “Terror Tram…The Exterminatorz” puts guests on the world-famous Universal backlot and is in the middle of an insect uprising led by the devious Larry Larva, whose goal is to exterminate humans from the Earth. Horror fans will also walk along the Jupiter’s Claim set from Nope, where they will encounter The Tethered from Us in an epic crossover from two of director Jordan Peele’s epic blockbusters.

Halloween Horror Nights runs select nights from Thursday, September 7 through Tuesday, October 31 at Universal Studios Hollywood and Friday, September 1 through Saturday, November 4 at Universal Orlando Resort. Due to popular demand, event nights are expected to sell out, and tickets should be purchased in advance.

To purchase tickets to this year’s event, click here.

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A24 Creating New Action Thriller “Onslaught” From ‘The Guest’ & ‘You’re Next’ Duo

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It’s always nice to see a reunion in the world of horror. Following a competitive bidding war, A24 has secured the rights to the new action thriller film Onslaught. Adam Wingard (Godzilla vs. Kong) will be directing the film. He will be joined by his longtime creative partner Simon Barret (You’re Next) as the scriptwriter.

For those unaware, Wingard and Barret made a name for themselves while working together on films such as You’re Next and The Guest. The two creatives are card carrying horror royalty. The pair have worked on films such as V/H/S, Blair Witch, The ABC’s of Death, and A Horrible Way to Die.

An exclusive article of out Deadline gives us the limited information we have on the topic. Although we don’t have much to go on, Deadline does offer the following information.

A24

“Plot details are being kept under wraps but the film is in the vein of Wingard and Barrett’s cult classics like The Guest and You’re Next. Lyrical Media and A24 will co-finance. A24 will handle worldwide releasing. Principal photography will begin in Fall 2024.”

A24 will be producing the film alongside Aaron Ryder and Andrew Swett for Ryder Picture Company, Alexander Black for Lyrical Media, Wingard and Jeremy Platt for Breakaway Civilization, and Simon Barret.

That’s all the information we have at this time. Make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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Director Louis Leterrier Creating New Sci-Fi Horror Film “11817”

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Louis Leterrier

According to an article from Deadline, Louis Leterrier (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance) is about to shake things up with his new Sci-Fi horror film 11817. Leterrier is set to produce and direct the new Movie. 11817 is penned by the glorious Mathew Robinson (The Invention of Lying).

Rocket Science will be taking the film to Cannes in search of a buyer. While we don’t know much about what the film looks like, Deadline offers the following plot synopsis.

“The film watches as inexplicable forces trap a family of four inside their house indefinitely. As both modern luxuries and life or death essentials begin to run out, the family must learn how to be resourceful to survive and outsmart who — or what — is keeping them trapped…”

“Directing projects where the audience gets behind the characters has always been my focus. However complex, flawed, heroic, we identify with them as we live through their journey,” said Leterrier. “It’s what excites me about 11817‘s wholly original concept and the family at the heart of our story. This is an experience that movie audiences won’t forget.”

Leterrier has made a name for himself in the past for working on beloved franchises. His portfolio includes gems such as Now You See Me, The Incredible Hulk, Clash of The Titans, and The Transporter. He is currently attached to create the final Fast and the Furious film. However, it will be interesting to see what Leterrier can do working with some darker subject material.

That’s all the information we have for you at this time. As always, make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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Lists

New to Netflix (U.S.) This Month [May 2024]

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atlas movie Netflix starring Jennifer Lopez

Another month means fresh additions to Netflix. Although there aren’t many new horror titles this month, there are still some notable movies well worth your time. For instance, you can watch Karen Black try to land a 747 jet in Airport 1979, or Casper Van Dien kill giant insects in Paul Verhoeven’s bloody sci-fi opus Starship Troopers.

We are looking forward to the Jennifer Lopez sci-fi action movie Atlas. But let us know what you are going to watch. And if we have missed something, put it in the comments.

May 1:

Airport

A blizzard, a bomb, and a stowaway help create the perfect storm for the manager of a Midwestern airport and a pilot with a messy personal life.

Airport ’75

Airport ’75

When a Boeing 747 loses its pilots in a midair collision, a member of the cabin crew must take control with radio help from a flight instructor.

Airport ’77

A luxury 747 packed with VIPs and priceless art goes down in the Bermuda Triangle after being hijacked by thieves — and time for a rescue is running out.

Jumanji

Two siblings discover an enchanted board game that opens a door to a magical world — and unwittingly release a man who’s been trapped inside for years.

Hellboy

Hellboy

A half-demon paranormal investigator questions his defense of humans when a dismembered sorceress rejoins the living to wreak brutal vengeance.

Starship Troopers

When fire-spitting, brain-sucking bugs attack Earth and obliterate Buenos Aires, an infantry unit heads to the aliens’ planet for a showdown.

May 9

Bodkin

Bodkin

A ragtag crew of podcasters sets out to investigate mysterious disappearances from decades earlier in a charming Irish town with dark, dreadful secrets.

May 15

The Clovehitch Killer

The Clovehitch Killer

A teenager’s picture-perfect family is torn apart when he uncovers unnerving evidence of a serial killer close to home.

May 16

Upgrade

After a violent mugging leaves him paralyzed, a man receives a computer chip implant that allows him to control his body — and get his revenge.

Monster

Monster

After being abducted and taken to a desolate house, a girl sets out to rescue her friend and escape from their malicious kidnapper.

May 24

Atlas

Atlas

A brilliant counterterrorism analyst with a deep distrust of AI discovers it might be her only hope when a mission to capture a renegade robot goes awry.

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory

The Camp Cretaceous gang come together to unravel a mystery when they discover a global conspiracy that brings danger to dinosaurs — and to themselves.

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