THE SCENE SETTER
The twisted tale of Winnie-the-Pooh in the realm of horror has become an unexpected darling amongst aficionados of the genre, leading to a sequel where the infamously deranged bear sports an even more chilling makeover. This latest iteration presents a sinister, life-like fur prosthetic that breaks away from the more rudimentary yet eerie visage seen in the premiere installment. The jump in the sequel’s budget for creature effects is a nod to the sleeper success of the original flick, which raked in nearly $6 million on a shoestring budget, proving that even lackluster critiques can’t drown out the sound of cash registers ringing.
2023 has been a goldmine for slasher enthusiasts, with heavy hitters like Scream VI and Sick making waves. Yet, it’s often the movies that are so terrible they’re irresistible that etch a permanent place in the hearts of the horror community. Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey filled that niche to the brim upon its release in February, and unsurprisingly, a sequel was promptly sanctioned. Recently, a glimpse into Pooh’s intensified ferocity for Blood and Honey 2 was unveiled.
Continuation of Pooh’s Grisly Rampage
A sneak peek provided to The Hollywood Reporter reveals the beloved childhood bear now embodies a more ferocious beast. The updated look is a stark contrast to the basic yet spine-chilling portrayal in the initial movie. In Blood and Honey, Pooh’s costume held a low-budget charm that blurred the lines between a bear and a delirious person masquerading in a Halloween outfit. The mask maintained Pooh’s classical storybook essence with a macabre spin, characterized by its lifeless, virtually obsidian eyes. Transitioning to the follow-up, the creators have opted for a “realistic” fur-textured prosthetic that allows the actor’s eyes to be fully visible, a move similar to the recent eerie unveiling of Tigger.
This transformation can be attributed to the sequel’s bolstered budget. The original’s costume was a mere $770 affair. Rhys Frake-Waterfield, the director making a comeback for the sequel, disclosed to THR that the new ensembles for Pooh and his fellow inhabitants of The Hundred Acre Woods amounted to upwards of $20,000. “The prosthetics for the creatures alone were over $20,000. It’s a massive leap. But it’s a worthwhile investment since that’s the crux of horror – the creature is what pulls viewers in. In terms of costs, we’re looking at about 10 to 15 times what we spent originally,” he explained. Despite being panned critically, with dismal scores on Rotten Tomatoes, the financial success of the original Blood and Honey spoke volumes, clearly influencing the increased budget for the sequel.
Sneak Peek into ‘Blood and Honey 2’
While the complete plot is under wraps, the sequel is set to revolve around a group of girls in a motor home whose journey spirals into chaos as Pooh and his eerie companions pursue them. Targeting a release date around February 14, 2024, it looks like Pooh will once again be doling out horrific Valentine’s Day surprises. Frake-Waterfield, alongside producer-star Scott Jeffery, hinted at an ambitious crossover horror universe featuring this malevolent bear with upcoming projects like Bambi: The Reckoning and Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare, which are further detailed in THR’s extensive interview.
You can catch the origins of this sinister saga with Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey streaming currently on Peacock.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Blood and Honey sequel
What is ‘Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2’?
‘Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2’ is the sequel to the surprise hit horror film that portrays the childhood character Winnie-the-Pooh as a crazed killer. With an upgraded, more animalistic costume design and a larger budget, the sequel promises to deliver even more chills and thrills to horror fans.
When is ‘Blood and Honey 2’ set to be released?
The film is aiming for a release date around February 14, 2024, turning Valentine’s Day into a day of horror with Pooh’s return.
Why does Pooh have a more realistic look in the sequel?
The filmmakers have increased the budget for the sequel, allowing for more detailed and realistic prosthetics for the characters, including Pooh. This new look aims to enhance the horror and realism of the character.
How did the first ‘Blood and Honey’ film perform financially?
Despite receiving overwhelmingly negative reviews, the first ‘Blood and Honey’ film was a financial success, earning almost $6 million worldwide on a budget of less than $100,000.
Are there any plans for a horror universe crossover with Winnie-the-Pooh?
Yes, the creators are teasing a shared cinematic horror universe with potential upcoming films like ‘Bambi: The Reckoning’ and ‘Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare’.
More about Blood and Honey sequel
- Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey on Peacock
- The Hollywood Reporter Exclusive on Blood and Honey 2
- Blood and Honey Rotten Tomatoes Scores
- Scream VI Details
- Upcoming Horror Crossover Universe
5 comments
gotta say i’m kinda excited to see what they do with a bigger budget, the first one was so bad it was good, let’s see if they can keep that ‘charm’ with more money thrown at it.
omg they actually made a sequel to Blood and Honey? i thought the first was just a weird fever dream haha can’t believe pooh’s coming back, gotta see it to believe it.
Wait, Winnie the Pooh as a horror movie? who asked for this, man the first one had me laughing more than screaming, but hey gotta love the hustle.
hold up they’re doing what now? a cinematic universe with bambi and peter pan, that’s either genius or the craziest thing I’ve heard, also pooh’s new look is freaky as hell.
i hear they’re aiming for a valentine’s day release again? nothing says romance like a bloodthirsty pooh bear on a rampage, perfect date night am i right.