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The Twisted Childhood Universe

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The Twisted Childhood Universe
Official logo
Created byRhys Frake-Waterfield
Original workWinnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey (2023)
OwnerJagged Edge Productions
Years2023–present
Films and television
Film(s)

The Twisted Childhood Universe (TCU), also known as the Poohniverse,[1] is a British film series and shared universe of independent slasher horror films. It was conceived and created by Rhys Frake-Waterfield, and produced by the filmmaker's Jagged Edge Productions film studio. The films centers around characters from children's media reimagined as murderous villains.

The franchise's first installment, Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, was met with a negative critical reception and a more mixed fan reception, though it turned a profit at the box office. The movie's quality was called into question, with criticisms directed at the script, acting, cinematography, and lack of humor; it also received five Golden Raspberry Awards. In response to this, Frake-Waterfield stated that he is determined to raise the standard with the future films in the franchise.

Development

[edit]

In 2022, after Winnie-the-Pooh entered the public domain, Jagged Edge Productions began production on a horror adaptation.[2] Upon releasing the first promotional images for the film, the movie became a viral Internet sensation.[3] After the movie's limited release, it was ultimately deemed a financial success, recouping $5 million from its small budget of $100,000.[4] Upon the monetary gain, Jagged Edge Productions announced plans to produce a sequel with a higher budget, while also stating that a then-unnamed cinematic universe featuring characters from various children's stories was in development.[5][6][7][8] In February 2023, it was also stated that the characters in each of the individual movies will ultimately share the screen in the form of a crossover.[5][9][10][11][12]

In March 2024, Jagged Edge Productions officially announced that the franchise will be titled The Twisted Childhood Universe, while also announcing a full slate of films, culminating in a cross-over movie.[13][14]

Films

[edit]

Released

[edit]
Overview of films in The Twisted Childhood Universe
Film UK release date Director Screenwriter(s) Producers
Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey March 10, 2023 (2023-03-10) Rhys Frake-Waterfield Rhys Frake-Waterfield and Scott Jeffrey
Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 June 7, 2024 Rhys Frake-Waterfield Matt Leslie

Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey (2023)

[edit]
Main article: Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey

The first film in the franchise, Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, follows the characters Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet as murderous, misanthropic villains.[15] The film began development after the original Winnie-the-Pooh book entered the public domain in 2022.[2] Originally slated for an October 2022 release date, the film became viral after its announcement, and increased publicity motivated reshoots and a 2023 cinematic release.[3] The film made $5.2 million worldwide on a budget of $100,000.

Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 (2024)

[edit]
Main article: Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2

In June 2022, Frake-Waterfield expressed interest in creating a sequel, and stated that he wants to "ramp it up even more and go even crazier and go even more extreme".[16] In November 2022, he announced that a sequel, titled Winnie-the-Pooh 2, was in development with him returning as director and writer, on a budget five times larger than the previous installment;[17] it would later be confirmed that the budget had increased to ten times larger than the first film.[18] In September 2023, teaser images were released,[19][20][21] and it was revealed that the film will not feature the same cast as its predecessor.[22] The sequel began filming in late 2023,[23] with a limited theatrical run in the U.S. from 26 to 28 of March 2024.[24] The film made $7.5 million worldwide on a budget of $500,000.

Upcoming

[edit]
Overview of planned films in The Twisted Childhood Universe
Film UK release date Director Screenwriter(s) Producer(s) Status
Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare 2025[25] Scott Jeffrey[26] Rhys Frake-Waterfield and Scott Jeffrey Post-production
Bambi: The Reckoning 2025[27] Dan Allen Rhys Warrington
Pinocchio: Unstrung 2025[28] Rhys Frake-Waterfield Matt Leslie Filming
Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble 2025[14] Pre-production

Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare (2025)

[edit]
Main article: Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare

In November 2022, a horror movie centered around the titular character from Peter Pan and Wendy was announced as being in development; with Rhys Frake-Waterfield and Scott Jeffrey once again serving as producers.[29] Jeffrey was later revealed to be the director from a script he wrote, with the filmmaker stating that the movie will take inspiration from a combination of French cinema, High Tension and The Black Phone. The plot will center around Wendy's search for her brother Michael, who has been abducted by Peter Pan and Tinker Bell. [30] Frake-Waterfield stated that Tinker Bell will be "heavily obese and recovering from drugs",[31] while Jeffrey stated the character is "hooked on heroin and convinced it's Pixie Dust".[30] The film is set to be released in 2025.[25]

Bambi: The Reckoning (2025)

[edit]
Main article: Bambi: The Reckoning

In November 2022, a horror film centered around the titular character from Bambi, a Life in the Woods was announced as being in development. It will be directed by Dan Allen, from a script written by Rhys Warrington. Rhys Frake-Waterfield and Scott Jeffrey will once again serve as producers. The plot follows a woman named Xana and her son named Benji, who must fight to survive when they find themselves as prey to a mutated, grieving killing machine of a deer following a car wreck. Officially titled Bambi: The Reckoning, the movie will be developed by ITN Studios and Jagged Edge Productions.[32][33] Jeffrey described the film as "an incredibly dark retelling of the 1928 story we all know and love. Finding inspiration from the design used in Netflix's The Ritual, Bambi will be a vicious killing machine that lurks in the wilderness."[34] The film is set to be released in 2025.[27]

Pinocchio: Unstrung (2025)

[edit]
Main article: Pinocchio: Unstrung

In February 2024, it was announced that a horror film centered around the titular character from The Adventures of Pinocchio was in development, while it was also revealed that additional characters from other childhood stories would be revealed as a part of the story. Officially titled Pinocchio: Unstrung, with the release of the first promotional concept art, the plot and the filmmaking crew including the director and the writer were stated to be revealed at a later time. The movie is slated for a 2025 release.[28][35][36] The film will focus on James, the son of Geppetto, who meets Geppetto's magical doll Pinocchio and introduces him to the outside world, but Pinocchio's naïveté gets the better of him and he embarks on a murderous crusade to eliminate all things bad. In November 2024, Robert Englund was cast in a lead role, while Richard Brake was cast as Geppetto.[37]

Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble (2025)

[edit]

In March 2024, the franchise's first crossover film was announced with the official title of Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble, with the font of the title parodying that of The Avengers from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The plot will reportedly include characters from each of the preceding installments, as the murderous versions of characters from children's fairytales team-up to hunt down the individual survivors of their massacres and seek to take over the world in the process. The team of nightmarish monsters will include returning characters such as Winnie-the-Pooh (being the team's leader), Tigger, Piglet, Owl, Bambi, Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Hook, Pinocchio, and The Cricket; while also introducing Rabbit, Sleeping Beauty, the Mad Hatter, and others to the group. Rhys Frake-Waterfield will serve as director, in addition to producing alongside Scott Chambers. The movie is slated to release in 2025.[14]

Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 3 (2026)

[edit]

In March 2024, shortly after the second film's release, it was announced that Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 3 had entered development. The film will have a larger budget than its predecessors and will feature Rabbit, Heffalumps, Woozles, Kanga and Roo.[38]

Awakening Sleeping Beauty (TBA)

[edit]

In March 2024, Jagged Edge Productions confirmed that Awakening Sleeping Beauty is one of the projects being developed for the franchise.[39][40][41]

Snow White Returns (TBA)

[edit]

In May 2024 during the Cannes Film Festival, Jagged Edged Productions revealed the teaser posters for The Twisted Childhood Universe installments; officially announcing Snow White Returns as a part of its lineup.[41]

Tigger’s Return (TBA)

[edit]

Tigger's Return was hinted during a BTS picture of several books with released and unreleased TCU films on the set of Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare. The film was officially confirmed by Scott Chambers on an Instagram Q&A along with a Tinkerbell solo film.

Tinker Bell (TBA)

[edit]

Tigger's Return was hinted during a BTS picture of several books with released and unreleased TCU films on the set of Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare. The film was officially confirmed by Scott Chambers on an Instagram Q&A along with a Tigger's Return film.

Alice & The Mad Hatter (TBA)

[edit]

In September 2024. Scott confirmed during a Q&A on Instagram that a horror version of Alice in Wonderland titled Alice & The Mad Hatter would be released in future and would possibly the next film that he will direct. On October 2, 2024, it was confirmed that Anferny Beutel would play the Cheshire Cat.

Other Upcoming Projects

[edit]

Rhys Frake-Waterfield has expressed interest in creating films about Thor and Sherlock Holmes (whose plans were later scrapped), as well as licensed franchises such as Teletubbies, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Superman, Batman (whose early versions both become public domain in 2034 and 2035), Barney the Dinosaur, Popeye (Whose early iteration becomes public domain in the United States in 2025), The Powerpuff Girls, disputed possible public domain/possibly still copyrighted ones like Kermit The Frog, and already public domain IPS such as Tarzan, The Jungle Book, Puss in Boots/Felix The Cat, and Baby Shark. although no announcements regarding these franchises have been made or if they will ever go into production. Scott Chambers, on September 2024, stated on Instagram that a Captain Hook solo spin-off is being considered, alongside sequels to Bambi: The Reckoning, Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare, and Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble.

Reception

[edit]
Box office performance of The Twisted Childhood Universe films
Film UK release date Box office gross Budget
Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey March 10, 2023 (2023-03-10) $5.2 million[4] $100,000[42]
Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 March 26, 2024 (2024-03-26) $7.6 million[43][44] $500,000[45]
Critical response to The Twisted Childhood Universe films
Film
Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 3% (62 reviews)[46] 16 (19 reviews)[47]
Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 46% (41 reviews)[48] 36 (6 reviews)[49]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Coman, Monica (18 March 2024). "Poohniverse Crossover Movie to Unite Horror Versions of Pooh, Bambi, Tinkerbell & More". CBR. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  2. ^ a b Yossman, K. J. (26 May 2022). "'Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey' Director Teases Slasher Film Plot: 'Pooh and Piglet Go on a Rampage'". Variety. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b Ritman, Alex (4 November 2022). "How an Online Frenzy Lit a Fuse Under Microbudget Slasher 'Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 4 November 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey (2023) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  5. ^ a b Ritman, Alex (8 February 2023). "'Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey' Director Plans to Create Low-Budget "Twisted" Childhood Horror Universe With Bambi, Peter Pan and More". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  6. ^ Peralta, Diego (8 February 2023). "'Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey' Director Wants to Develop a Shared Universe With Other Classic Children's Tales". Collider. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  7. ^ Abaroa, Patricia (8 February 2023). "Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey Director Plans to Bring Other Beloved Characters Into a 'Twisted Alternative' Cinematic Universe". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on 2 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  8. ^ "Winne The Pooh: Blood and Honey gets a cinematic universe, naturally". The A.V. Club. 9 February 2023. Archived from the original on 24 July 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  9. ^ Hamman, Cody (10 February 2023). "Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey forms a cinematic universe with Peter Pan and Bambi horror movies". JoBlo. Archived from the original on 2 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  10. ^ Solomon, Daniel (8 February 2023). "Children's Horror Movie Universe With Pooh, Bambi & More In Development". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on 2 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
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  17. ^ February 16, Clark Collis; EST, 2023 at 03:06 PM. "'Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey' director says sequel will have at least 5 times the budget". EW.com. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ Yossman, K. J. (20 October 2023). "'Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey' Director Hopes Fourth Graders Not 'Ruined' by Surprise Screening, Teases Sequel Budget and Deaths". Variety. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
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  20. ^ Hirsch, Shari (8 September 2023). "Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey' Sequel First-Look Teases More Childhood Nightmares". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on 25 June 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  21. ^ Squires, John (8 September 2023). "'Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2' – First Images from Slasher Sequel Bring That Yellow Bastard Back to Life". Bloody Disgusting!. Archived from the original on 8 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  22. ^ Ritman, Alex (8 September 2023). "'Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey' Sequel First-Look Images Revealed (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 13 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  23. ^ Ritman, Alex (17 May 2023). "Cannes: 'Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey' Slasher Sequel Cuts Deals Around the World (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 17 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  24. ^ Ritman, Alex (3 November 2023). "AFM: 'Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2' Duo Unveils First Terrifying Close-Up of New-Look Bear (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
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  26. ^ Ritman, Alex (18 May 2024). "'Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey' Makers Unveil 'Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare' First Look (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 25 June 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  27. ^ a b Squires, John (6 August 2024). "'Bambi: The Reckoning' Exclusive Poster – Bambi Becomes a Killing Machine in 2025". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on 25 August 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  28. ^ a b Squires, John (17 January 2024). "Public Domain Horror Universe Expanding With 'Pinocchio: Unstrung' [Exclusive First Look]". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  29. ^ Clark, Brandy (2 November 2022). "'Peter Pan: Neverland Nightmare' Being Developed by Director of 'Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey'". Collider. Archived from the original on 5 September 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  30. ^ a b Squires, John (30 January 2024). "'Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare': Exclusive Sneak Peek at the Upcoming Peter Pan Horror Movie". Bloody Disgusting!. Archived from the original on 25 June 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  31. ^ Senzatimore, Renee (10 February 2023). "Peter Pan Horror Film Features a Darker, Drug-Addicted Tinkerbell". Comic Book Resource. Archived from the original on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  32. ^ Squires, John (13 December 2023). "'Bambi: The Reckoning' Exclusive Update: Cast and Director Announced for Bambi Horror Movie". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  33. ^ McAndrews, Mary Beth (21 November 2022). "Bambi Becomes "A Vicious Killing Machine" In New Childhood-Ruining Horror Reimagining [Exclusive]". Dread Central. Archived from the original on 7 April 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  34. ^ Fuge, Jonathan (25 November 2022). "Bambi Horror Movie to Transform the Disney Character Into a Vicious Killing Machine". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  35. ^ O'Rourke, Ryan (18 January 2024). "'Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2' Director Offers First Peek at 'Pinocchio: Unstrung'". Collider. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  36. ^ Bolt, Neil (18 January 2024). "Pinocchio Unstrung: First Details on Horror Movie From Blood and Honey Filmmakers". Yahoo Entertainment. Archived from the original on 11 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  37. ^ Ritman, Alex (1 November 2024). "Pinocchio Slasher Film From Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey Team Casts Horror Vets Robert Englund and Richard Brake (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  38. ^ Ritman, Alex (28 March 2024). "Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 3' Confirmed (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 28 March 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  39. ^ Jagged Edge Productions [@poohbandh] (19 March 2024). "Everything is leading to this...POOHNIVERSE: MONSTERS ASSEMBLE hits theatres 2025" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 April 2024 – via Twitter. Yes
  40. ^ Roberts, Joe (5 April 2024). "Every Movie Planned for The Twisted Childhood Universe". Slash Film. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  41. ^ a b Davis, Elizabeth (1 August 2024). "The Twisted Childhood Universe: Everything You Need To Know". AfterBuzz TV. Archived from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  42. ^ Gleiberman, Owen (27 March 2024). "Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 Review: This One Has a "Story", but Beneath the Slasher Violence Its Only Horror Is What It Does to IP". Variety. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  43. ^ "Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 — Financial Information". The Numbers. Archived from the original on 29 March 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  44. ^ "Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2". BoxOfficeMojo. Archived from the original on 29 March 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  45. ^ "Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood & Honey 2's New Images Show A Closer Look At Christopher Robin & Terrifying Pooh". Screen Rant. 5 January 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  46. ^ "Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey". Rotten Tomatoes. 15 February 2023. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  47. ^ "Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  48. ^ "Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2". Rotten Tomatoes. 29 March 2024. Archived from the original on 25 June 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  49. ^ "Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2". Metacritic. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
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