Robert Englund has joined the cast of a newPinocchio Unstrung, a new horror moviebased on the classic fairytale. Now 77 years old,Englund’s claim to horror fame came 40 years ago, when he made his debut as Freddy Krueger in 1984’sA Nightmare on Elm Street. The actor has gone on to play the killer in multipleNightmare on Elm Streetsequels, playing the part most recently in an episode of the TV seriesThe Goldbergs. Freddy Krueger as a character has also become an iconic Halloween image that has been the subject of many a costume over the years.
As perVariety,Englund has now been announced to star in the newPinocchioslasher movie.This movie is calledPinocchio: Unstrung, and will feature Englund in a starring role. Actor Richard Brake has also joined the cast in the role of Geppetto. The film will be directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield and produced by Scott Jeffrey. The feature will be distributed by ITN Studios and is tentatively set for release in summer 2025. In addition to the casting announcement, a first look image of the puppet inPinocchio: Unstrungwas released, which can be found below:
What Pinocchio: Unstrung Means For Horror
It Continues The Mascot Horror Trend
Pinocchio: Unstrungwill be part of the Twisted Childhood Universe, which is a group of mascot horror films dedicated to taking iconic childhood characters and distorting them into something far more sinister. The interest in this quirky subgenre was partially spurred by the poorly rated but unexpectedly successfulWinnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey. It was Frake-Waterfield and Jeffrey, the director and producer onPinocchio: Unstrung, who were behindBlood and Honey. So, the pair will attempt to continue this trend with this latest twisted tale.
Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood & Honey Ending & Cliffhanger Explained
Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey ends with numerous gory deaths and a cliffhanger for Christopher Robin, setting up an even more brutal sequel.
Pinocchio: Unstrungis far from the only mascot horror film in developmentat the moment.Bambi: The Reckoning, a spin on the tale of the classic deer, is also set for release in 2025. Furthermore, multipleSteamboat Williehorror filmsare being made after this version of Mickey Mouse entered the public domain.Pinocchio: Unstrungis yet another way that the so-called Twisted Childhood Universe is expanding to cover a wider breadth of stories.
Our Take On The Pinocchio: Unstrung Casting
Englund Will Legitimize The Subgenre
Casting England, and even Brake for that matter, givesPinocchio: Unstrunga major edge against its mascot horror competitors. UnlikeBlood and Honey, which featured an unknown cast,Englund and Brake are established talents within the horror genre. Their casting thus helps to legitimize that mascot horror subgenre, as it brings two prominent actors into this world. Not only will this likely helpPinocchio: Unstrung’s box office performance, but it could elevate the mascot horror genre overall, also helping films likeBambi: Reckoningand more.
Pinocchio: Unstrung
Cast
Pinocchio: Unstrung is a dark adaptation of the classic tale, scheduled for theatrical release in late 2024. The film offers a gory reimagining of the iconic wooden character on his journey, diverging from traditional narratives to explore a more sinister undertone.
