‘Five Nights at Freddy's 2' Lures Fans In by Taking Us Back to Where It All Began
'Mike and Abby went through a lot,' Hutcherson explained. 'Mike is just wanting to get back to somewhat of a normal life, but that just can't happen in Freddy's world. Mike, in a way, is trying to fake it till you make it without fully working through all that stuff that happened, and then it happens to him again! Poor Mike.'
Hutcherson added that while he's not deeply informed of the lore, he does lean on his co-star Piper Rubio (who plays his sister Abby) as the resident expert, adding, 'I am existing as Mike and experiencing it, but I do glean some things from Piper's insight.' But he did reveal that his favorite character from the universe is Mangle, and gave the Jim Henson Creature Shop credit where it's due for making another Five Nights at Freddy's icon really stand out in the practical ways the legendary monster maker can. 'What Jim Henson's puppeteering team and the creators and designers brought to life with Mangle,' Hutchinson continued, 'it's such another level of puppeteering and complicated everything. It's just so cool to see that brought to life.'
While William Afton always comes back, the cinematic Afton, Matthew Lillard, was not on hand to discuss FNAF's big bad at Comic-Con but did introduce his partner in slashers for the sequel, Skeet Ulrich (the other half of their Scream duo), via video. Ulrich has been the center of fan theories of him playing Henry Emily, the co-owner of the Five Nights at Freddy's pizza franchise alongside Afton, and his answer feels like he's all but saying this is probably the case. 'I play somebody with a very particular and specific past,' Ulrich teased, adding, 'And with a very deep emotional tie to what's going on.'
Before the panel closed out, director Emma Tammi and producer Jason Blum introduced an extended clip that feels very Scream, in the sense that Gen Z starlet McKenna Grace is featured as the host of a paranormal investigator channel whose crew gets to visit the first Five Nights at Freddy's location… the one where it all went wrong. You kind of get the feeling that she might be the Drew Barrymore of the film's opening, as she gets a super creepy security guard to tour them through the wreckage.
The parlor itself is great; there's a moat complete with a sunken, decayed boat, which makes me jealous that my local pizza parlor didn't have one of those. The bridge and the in-the-round style of the original location make it feel like a demented Disneyland—it looks right out of the game, and you can't help but want to see what doom is hidden behind the urban decay of the pizza company's sordid past.
Grace's character pushes the guard for more details about a very special animatronic that was only at that specific location—the Marionette. The crowd buzzed at the mention of the game's fan favorite. She recounts its lore, describing how it would rise from a trapdoor to direct the show on occasion. As her channel partners record, they notice that the security guard has led them to the stage with the iconic animatronics, and under the tarp it's pretty obvious they look bizarrely like new models ready for more terror trap mayhem.
Alas, the clip cuts away before we find out the real reason why they were led there, but we can tell it's definitely bad news. We'll have to wait until this holiday season to find out just why the haunted world of Five Nights at Freddy's has reopened for more bloody business.
Five Nights at Freddy's 2 opens December 5, 2025!
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump ‘seriously considering' pardon for Diddy ahead of sentencing
President Trump is reportedly considering granting a pardon to Sean 'Diddy' Combs after an official decision has been made on his latest $50 million bail petition. An administration source told Deadline the president is 'seriously' weighing a pardon for the hip-hop mogul ahead of his sentencing in October. Combs' legal team filed yet another bail package proposal on Tuesday, arguing that most people convicted under the federal Mann Act — an anti-sex trafficking law with a century-old history — are released from jail pending their sentencing. Sources told TMZ on Wednesday that Trump is 'more than open' to pardoning the disgraced music mogul, but only based on Judge Arun Subramanian's ruling on the bail petition. If Diddy is granted bail, Trump will reportedly wait to decide on a pardon until his sentencing, which is scheduled for Oct. 3. However, if the judge denies bail, a decision will be made immediately. The Bad Boy Records founder was acquitted earlier this month of the sex trafficking and racketeering charges against him but convicted on prostitution-related offenses, including two counts of violating the Mann Act, which is primarily used for prosecuting interstate prostitution crimes. Sources say that Combs' case resonates with Trump because he believes the rapper, much like himself, has been unfairly targeted by the feds. Combs and Trump have a history of running in the same circles in New York City before the president's political pursuits. In a 2012 episode of 'The Apprentice,' Trump described Combs as a 'good friend.' The president first teased the possibility of pardoning Combs in May, saying he hadn't officially been asked by anyone on Diddy's legal team, though he knows 'people are thinking about it.' 'I would certainly look at the facts if I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don't like me,' Trump said at the time, acknowledging that his fellow New York native 'used to really like me a lot' prior to him entering politics. 'I haven't spoken to him in years,' Trump said. 'I think when I ran for politics that relationship sort of busted up. He didn't tell me that, but I read some little bit nasty stuff in the paper.' Combs is facing a maximum of 20 years in prison. _____
CNN
29 minutes ago
- CNN
Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen to jointly receive humanitarian award at 2025 Emmys
In an Emmys first, Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen will together receive the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award. The Hollywood golden couple, who will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary in October, will jointly receive the honor, which recognizes awardees' 'extraordinary' philanthropic activism and efforts, according to a news release. Usually handed out to individuals, it's a milestone that the couple will mark together during the Emmys telecast in September. 'Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen have long used their voices – and their hearts – to champion causes that uplift the planet and its people,' Cris Abrego, chair of the Television Academy, said in a statement Wednesday. 'The Television Academy is proud to honor their extraordinary legacy of service with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award.' 'Cheers' star Danson cofounded the American Oceans Campaign in 1987 to bring attention to the life-threatening hazards the ocean faces due to the oil spills and pollution. Danson also supports other organizations including the ASPCA and the Elton John AIDS Foundation, among others. Steenburgen has supported several organizations, including Artists for a Free South Africa, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and No Kid Hungry, among others, the release said. Together, the couple cofounded Angels at Risk, which provides resources for families affected by drug and alcohol abuse, and are active supporters of the LGBTQ community. Danson and Steenburgen are both beloved and celebrated film and TV actors, with Danson being a two-time Emmy winner and Steenburgen the recipient of an Academy Award (for best supporting actress for 1980's 'Melvin and Howard). They've appeared in several titles together, including 'Gulliver's Travels' and 'It Must be Love.' The pair met in the early 1980s before tying the knot in 1995. They each have two children from previous relationships, including Steeburgen's son Charlie McDowell, who is married to 'Emily in Paris' star Lily Collins.
Gizmodo
30 minutes ago
- Gizmodo
These ‘Haunted Mansion' Figures Evoke the Spirit of the Classic Disneyland Ride
As summer draws to a close, The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland prepares for Jack Skellington to take over with his spooky Christmas mashup through the end of the year holidays. But the ghostly retreat evokes Halloween all year long and has become a Disney Store staple for collections inspired by the beloved attraction. With the latest Haunted Mansion merch drop, you can bring some of the spectral energy of the ride home for your seasonal fall decor. Two of the most standout pieces from the collection are the Disney Store light-up stretching portrait icon figures by artist and product design manager Steve Thompson. The incredibly detailed statues look like animation come to life, depicting tightrope walker Sarah Sally Slater over her crocodile and the Dynamite Gentleman on his precarious barrel. io9 recently caught up with Thompson, who shared original concept art of the figures with us, to discuss his process for the figures and his relationship with Disneyland as it celebrates 70 years. Sabina Graves, io9: Could you elaborate on the inspiration behind your unique interpretation of the Sally and Dynamite Gentleman figures? Steve Thompson: I've been a fan of Haunted Mansion since my very first trip to Disneyland back in 1980. One of my favorite rooms in the attraction is, of course, the stretching room and its portraits. As with any new project, I never want to repeat myself. We have done some very cool collectibles, ornaments, and artwork of these characters in the past that stay very true to the portrait characters as you know them. So, for me the challenge was, how do we portray these characters in a new way? The portraits in the stretching room have been painted by different artists over the years. As a result, the way they look has also changed. My approach with the design of these figurines was to honor that tradition and draw them as I see them. It all started with my initial sketches. I would say my biggest inspiration or jumping-off point was the original paintings by Disney legend Marc Davis. His paintings were fun and a little eerie at the same time—there was magic in the eyes! When an attraction has been around for as long as Haunted Mansion has, the challenge is giving Haunted Mansion fans something they haven't seen before. I wanted the poses of the characters to be similar to the portraits in the attraction, but not exactly how you remember them. Almost as if you are catching a slightly different moment from the same portrait session, something as unique as the mansion itself. I hope fans enjoy this take on some of their favorite characters! io9: What has been your personal connection to Disneyland and The Haunted Mansion over the years? Thompson: I grew up going to Disneyland, and like many who grew up in California, the park was always an inspiration to me. It is truly a magical place. I knew from a very young age that I wanted to work for Disney as an artist, and being able to visit the park on a regular basis helped keep that dream alive for me. I can say I have been incredibly lucky to be doing just that for the past 31 years! Haunted Mansion to me is one of the all-time great Disney attractions; every detail is perfect. I still feel like after all these years there is always something new to discover. io9: In what ways have Disney Parks served as one of your earliest fandoms, and how has that influenced your career path as a designer? Thompson: Growing up visiting the Disney Parks made me feel like anything is possible. The parks were a safe space for me to dream and imagine. You can see the love, talent, and craftsmanship that has gone into every detail. As a designer, I always keep in mind that I am just one of a long line of artists that have helped keep these characters and stories alive over the years. It comes with great responsibility and a true love for the source material. Some of my favorite recent memories of the parks are the times I'm there on my own after an art signing or work meeting, making my way through the park and seeing things I've helped create being sold in the stores. It's something I always dreamed about as a kid. And the park brings out that kid in me that can take a step back and appreciate that. It always makes me excited to see what we're going to design next! io9: Beyond the specific figures, are there any other aspects of The Haunted Mansion and spooky season at the parks that particularly resonate with you creatively? Thompson: As a kid I wanted to live in the Haunted Mansion—I also wanted the caterpillar ride vehicle from Alice in Wonderland to be my car! Haunted Mansion to me is a must-stop every time I am at the park. Besides the great characters and music, I love the architecture; no detail was overlooked in its creation. It's something only Disney could do; going on the ride at night is just about as magical as it gets, and for me as a designer, those conditions are perfect for finding my next bit of inspiration. You never know what we'll do next. Stay tuned. See this Haunted Mansion release and more Halloween season goods online at the Disney Store. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
