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Sneak Peek At Universal’s HHN 2019!

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Sneak Peek At Universal’s HHN 2019. John Murdy – Has been the Creative Director/Executive Producer of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood since 2006. Prior to that Murdy had a long career with Universal Creative as a Show Writer and Creative Director, working on projects like The Revenge of the Mummy Ride and the re-invention of the world-famous Universal Studio Tour. Today we were fortunate enough to receive a glimpse of Halloween Horror Nights 2019 with an exclusive day time tour of three mazes: Creepshow, Frankenstein Versus The Wolfman, and Killer Klowns From Outer Space. 

Tickets Can Be Purchased By Clicking here!

The terror begins Friday, September 13th and on select evenings through November 3rd!

Outside The ‘Creepshow’ Maze At Universal Studios Horror Nights Hollywood. Photo Courtesy of Ryan T. Cusick @Nytmare112

Creepshow was the first of the three mazes that we toured on a very warm August afternoon. The artwork is absolutely beautiful and creepy, the comic book was really the inspiration for this entrance. Halloween Horror Nights Creative Director, John Murdy, explains what to expect in Creepshow.

“There are five stories that you go through when you through the maze. Three from the 1982 film and two from the upcoming Shudder series which airs this September and also the Prologue and Epilogue inspired by the film.” Murdy further explains “Working with Greg [Nicotero] and knowing him for so long one of the big advantages first and foremost is that he is a makeup artist. So when we got into the new TV Series we were able to use the actual molds that Greg created for all of the creatures and monsters on his new show. So when you see the mazes what you see are the characters wearing the exact same things that were used from the television series. Part of the conversation with Greg was how to approach the maze and we both kind of landed on the same idea. Creepshow is inspired by comic books specifically DC Horror comics from the 1950s, so we decided to really embrace that comic book esthetic in the maze.”

‘Creepshow” At Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights

‘Creepshow’ At Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights

“The very first part of the maze we are going to walk through is if you are walking through the panels of the comic book, we are using those to foreshadow the five stories that you are going to experience in the maze. The other thing that we thought that would be fun to include the kind of goofy adds that you would always find in the back of the comic books – The 99-pound weakling that gets sand kicked in his eyes, how to become a muscle man, or how to get an authentic monkey’s paw, or giant inflatable monster, so we have those re-created as well in the maze.”

‘Creepshow’ At Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights

‘Creepshow’ At Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights

‘Creepshow’ At Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights

‘Creepshow’ At Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights

The second maze was one that I did not know too much about, ‘Frankenstein Meets Wolfman.’ Murdy talks about his love for Universal Monsters and how this particular maze was important to him. So last year (2018) we did Universal Monsters I resisted doing that maze for thirteen years because I am a huge, huge fan of those films and that is the whole reason I do what I do today. From the age of four, I was obsessed with the classic monsters and I always have been. I have always been fairly realistic about my love for the Universal Monsters and I know in heart of hearts as much as I love those movies it is really hard to scare people the same way you could scare them in 1931 or in some of these cases the 20s. At the same time, I really hated the idea of completely throwing away what was iconic and classic about it for the sake of reinvention.”

Not Too Creepy During The Day – Outside The ‘Frankenstein Meets Wolfman’ Maze At Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights.

‘Frankenstein Meets Wolfman’ Maze At Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights.

‘Frankenstein Meets Wolfman’ Maze At Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights.

‘Frankenstein Meets Wolfman’ Maze At Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights.

‘Frankenstein Meets Wolfman’ Maze At Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights.

‘Frankenstein Meets Wolfman’ Maze At Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights.

‘Frankenstein Meets Wolfman’ Maze At Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights.

The third and final maze we visited really needs no introduction, as soon as I saw the outside of the maze there was no doubt that we are going to be in for a treat – Killer Klowns From Outer Space. This maze is going to be based on the cult 1980s film and the maze will transport guests to the small town of Crescent Cove that has been taken over by a pack of murderous clowns, but this isn’t any clowns they’re from Outerspace! Cotton candy, circus tents, and ice-cream – you’ll come face to face with these sinister klowns! The production team didn’t hold back on any details, this is very evident in the photos below.

Outside The Maze ‘Killer Klowns From Outer Space’ At Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights.

Recognize Anyone? ‘Killer Klowns From Outer Space’ At Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights.

‘Killer Klowns From Outer Space’ At Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights.

‘Killer Klowns From Outer Space’ At Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights.

‘Killer Klowns From Outer Space’ At Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights.

‘Killer Klowns From Outer Space’ At Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights.

‘Killer Klowns From Outer Space’ At Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights.

‘Killer Klowns From Outer Space’ At Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights.

‘Killer Klowns From Outer Space’ At Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights.

We just scraped the surface of what to expect at Halloween Horror Nights this year! And without a doubt, I am sure this event will be monumental, with practical and special effects and original ideas, guests are going to have a hell of a time!

 

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‘The Strangers’ Invaded Coachella in Instagramable PR Stunt

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Renny Harlin’s reboot of The Strangers isn’t coming out until May 17, but those murderous home invaders are making a pit stop at Coachella first.

In the latest Instagramable PR stunt, the studio behind the film decided to have the trio of masked intruders crash Coachella, a music festival that takes place for two weekends in Southern California.

The Strangers

This type of publicity began when Paramount did the same thing with their horror movie Smile in 2022. Their version had seemingly ordinary people in populated places look directly into a camera with an evil grin.

The Strangers

Harlin’s reboot is actually a trilogy with a more expansive world than that of the original.

“When setting out to remake The Strangers, we felt there was a bigger story to be told, which could be as powerful, chilling, and terrifying as the original and could really expand that world,” said producer Courtney Solomon. “Shooting this story as a trilogy allows us to create a hyperreal and terrifying character study. We’re fortunate to be joining forces with Madelaine Petsch, an amazing talent whose character is the driving force of this story.”

The Strangers

The movie follows a young couple (Madelaine Petsch and Froy Gutierrez) who “after their car breaks down in an eerie small town, are forced to spend the night in a remote cabin. Panic ensues as they are terrorized by three masked strangers who strike with no mercy and seemingly no motive in The Strangers: Chapter 1 the chilling first entry of this upcoming horror feature film series.”

The Strangers

The Strangers: Chapter 1 opens in theaters on May 17.

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‘Alien’ Returning to Theaters For a Limited Time

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It’s been 45 years since Ridley Scott’s Alien hit theaters and in celebration of that milestone, it is headed back to the big screen for a limited time. And what better day to do that than Alien Day on April 26?

It also works as a primer for the upcoming Fede Alvarez sequel Alien: Romulus opening on August 16. A special feature in which both Alvarez and Scott discuss the original sci-fi classic will be shown as a part of your theater admission. Take a look at the preview of that conversation below.

Fede Alvarez and Ridley Scott

Back in 1979, the original trailer for Alien was kind of terrifying. Imagine sitting in front of a CRT TV (Cathode Ray Tube) at night and suddenly Jerry Goldsmith’s haunting score begins to play as a giant chicken egg starts to crack with beams of light bursting through the shell and the word “Alien” slowly forms in slanted all caps across the screen. To a twelve-year-old, it was a scary pre-bedtime experience, especially Goldsmith’s screaming electronic musical flourishes playing over scenes of the actual movie. Let the “Is it horror or sci-fi?” debate begin.

Alien became a pop culture phenomenon, complete with kid’s toys, a graphic novel, and an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. It also inspired dioramas in wax museums and even a frightening setpiece at Walt Disney World in the now-defunct Great Movie Ride attraction.

Great Movie Ride

The film stars Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, and John Hurt. It tells the tale of a futuristic crew of blue-collar workers suddenly awakened out of stasis to investigate an undecipherable distress signal coming from a nearby moon. They investigate the source of the signal and discover it’s a warning and not a cry for help. Unbeknownst to the crew, they have brought a giant space creature back on board which they find out in one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history.

It is said that Alvarez’s sequel will pay homage to the original film’s storytelling and set design.

Alien Romulus
Alien (1979)

The Alien theatrical re-release will take place on April 26. Pre-order your tickets and find out where Alien will screen at a theater near you.

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Home Depot’s 12-Foot Skeleton Returns with a New Friend, Plus New Life-Size Prop from Spirit Halloween

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Halloween is the greatest holiday of them all. However, every great holiday needs amazing props to go with it. Luckily for you, there are two new amazing props that have been released, which are sure to impress your neighbors and frighten any neighborhood children who are unfortunate enough to wander past your yard.

The first entry is the return of the Home Depot 12-foot skeleton prop. Home Depot has outdone themselves in the past. But this year the company is bringing bigger and better things to their Halloween prop lineup.

Home Depot Skeleton Prop

This year, the company unveiled its new and improved Skelly. But what is a giant skeleton without a loyal friend? Home Depot has also announced that they will release a five-foot tall skeleton dog prop to eternally keep Skelly company as he haunts your yard this spooky season.

This bony pooch will be five feet tall and seven feet long. The prop will also feature a posable mouth and LCD eyes with eight variable settings. Lance Allen, Home Depot’s merchant of decorative Holliday gear, had the following to say about this year’s lineup.

“This year we increased our realism within the animatronics category, created some impressive, licensed characters and even brought back some fan favorites. Overall, we are most proud of the quality and value we are able to bring to our customers with these pieces so they can continue to grow their collections.”

Home Depot Prop

But what if giant skeletons just aren’t your thing? Well, Spirit Halloween has you covered with their giant life size Terror Dog replica. This massive prop has been ripped out of your nightmares to appear frighteningly on your lawn.

This prop weighs in at almost fifty pounds and features glowing red eyes that are sure to keep your yard safe from any toilet paper throwing hooligans. This iconic Ghostbusters nightmare is a must have for any fan of 80s horror. Or, anyone who loves all things spooky.

Terror Dog Prop
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