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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) is a British film series and shared universe of independent slasher-horror films, each serving as a dark reimagining of various public domain Disney's fairy tale media characters. It was conceived and created by Rhys Frake-Waterfield, and produced by the filmmaker's Jagged Edge Productions film studio. The plot centers around ruining beloved childhood characters, and through the storytelling lens of these characters becoming dark murderous monsters.

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 movies in the franchise; the sequel, Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2, was considered by many critics to be an improvement over its predecessor.

Development

[edit]

In 2022, after Winnie-the-Pooh entered the public domain, Jagged Edge Productions began production on a horror adaptation.[1] Upon releasing the first promotional images for the film, the movie became a viral Internet sensation.[2] After the movie's limited release, it was ultimately deemed a financial success, recouping $5 million from its small budget of $100,000.[3] 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.[4][5][6][7] 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.[4][8][9][10][11]

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.[12][13]

Films

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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[14] 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. The film began development after the original Winnie-the-Pooh book entered the public domain in 2022.[1] 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.[2] The movie 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".[15] 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;[16] it would later be confirmed that the budget had increased to ten times larger than the first film.[17] In September 2023, teaser images were released,[18][19][20] and it was revealed that the film will not feature the same cast as its predecessor.[21] The sequel began filming in late 2023,[22] with a limited theatrical run in the U.S. from 26 to 28 of March 2024.[23] The movie 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 2024[24] Scott Jeffrey[25] Rhys Frake-Waterfield and Scott Jeffrey Post-production
Bambi: The Reckoning 2025[26] Dan Allen Rhys Warrington
Pinocchio: Unstrung 2025[27] Rhys Frake-Waterfield TBA Pre-production
Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble 2025[13] TBA
Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 3 2026[13] TBA TBA In development
Awakening Sleeping Beauty TBA TBA TBA
Snow White Returns TBA TBA TBA

Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare (2024)

[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.[28] 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 Pan and Tinker Bell.[29] Frake-Waterfield stated that Tinker Bell will be "heavily obese and recovering from drugs",[30] while Jeffrey stated the character is "hooked on heroin and convinced it's Pixie Dust".[29]

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 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.[31][32] 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."[33]

Pinocchio: Unstrung (2025)

[edit]

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 date.[27][34][35]

Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble (2025)

[edit]

In March 2024, the culmination of the franchise in the form of a cross-over film was announced with the official title of Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble. 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, and Pinocchio; while also introducing Rabbit, Sleeping Beauty, and the Mad Hatter 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.[13]

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, as well as the Heffalumps and Woozles.[36]

Awakening Sleeping Beauty (TBA)

[edit]

In March 2024, after previously being listed on IMDb as an upcoming film by Jagged Edge Productions for some time,[37][38] the studio officially 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 official teaser posters for The Twisted Childhood Universe installments; officially announcing Snow White Returns as a part of its lineup.[42][41]

Other potential projects

[edit]

Rhys Frake-Waterfield has expressed interest in creating films about Thor,[43] as well as licensed franchises such as Teletubbies, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,[44] and The Powerpuff Girls,[45] although no announcements regarding these franchises have been made.

Recurring cast and characters

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List indicator(s)

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in the franchise.

  • An empty, dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
  •  A indicates an appearance through archival footage or audio.
  •  C indicates a cameo role.
  •  P indicates an appearance in onscreen photographs.
  •  S indicates an appearance through use of special effects.
  •  Y indicates a younger version of the character.
Cast and characters in The Twisted Childhood Universe films
Character Films
Winnie-the-Pooh:
Blood and Honey 		Winnie-the-Pooh:
Blood and Honey 2 		Peter Pan's
Neverland Nightmare 		Bambi:
The Reckoning 		Pinocchio:
Unstrung 		Poohniverse:
Monsters Assemble 		Winnie-the-Pooh:
Blood and Honey 3 		Awakening
Sleeping Beauty 		Snow White
Returns
2023 2024 2025 2026 TBA
Christopher Robin Nikolai Leon
Frederick DallawayY 		Scott Chambers
Mason GoldY
Nikolai LeonA 		Scott Chambers TBA
William "Billy" Robin
Winnie-the-Pooh 		Craig David Dowsett Ryan Oliva
Peter DeSouza-FeighoneyY
Craig David DowsettA 		Ryan Oliva
Piglet Chris Cordell Eddy MacKenzie
Chris CordellA 		Eddy MacKenzie
Maria Maria Taylor CorpseS
Tigger Lewis Santer Lewis Santer TBA
Owl Marcus Massey Marcus Massey
Peter Pan Concept sketch artwork Martin Portlock Martin Portlock
Bambi CGI Appearance CGI Appearance
Pinocchio TBA
Wendy Darling Megan Placito Megan Placito
Michael Darling Peter DeSouza-Feighoney Peter DeSouza-Feighoney
Tinker Bell Kit Green Kit Green
Capt. James Hook Charity Kase Charity Kase
Mary Darling Teresa Banham Teresa Banham
Xana Roxanne McKee Roxanne McKee
Benji Tom Mulheron
Mad Hatter Sam Barrett
Sleeping Beauty Lora Hristova Lora Hristova
Rabbit Stephen Staley
Heffalumps TBA
Woozles
Snow White TBA

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[3] March 10, 2023 (2023-03-10) $5.2 million $100,000
Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 March 26, 2024 (2024-03-26) $7.6 million $500,000
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 53% (32 reviews) [48] 36 (6 reviews)[49]

References

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  1. ^ 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. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  2. ^ 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. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey (2023) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  4. ^ 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. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  7. ^ "Winne The Pooh: Blood and Honey gets a cinematic universe, naturally". The A.V. Club. 9 February 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  8. ^ Hamman, Cody (10 February 2023). "Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey forms a cinematic universe with Peter Pan and Bambi horror movies". JoBlo. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  9. ^ Solomon, Daniel (8 February 2023). "Children's Horror Movie Universe With Pooh, Bambi & More In Development". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  10. ^ "A Twisted Childhood Cinematic Horror Universe on the Way from BLOOD AND HONEY Director". Nerdist. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  11. ^ Lund, Anthony (4 November 2023). "Blood and Honey Producer Gives Update on "Incredibly Dark" Bambi, Peter Pan and Secret Projects". MovieWeb. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  12. ^ "Jagged Edge Announces "The Twisted Childhood Universe" with New Title to Be Revealed on 3/22". WorldFilmGeek. 2 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  13. ^ a b c d Squires, John (18 March 2024). "'Poohniverse' – 'Winnie the Pooh' Team's Twisted Childhood Universe Building to Mashup Horror Movie". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  14. ^ Yossman, K. J. (7 February 2023). "'Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey': Inside the Viral Micro-Budget Slasher Hoping to Slay the Box Office (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  15. ^ Korngut, Josh (1 June 2022). "'Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey' Director Reveals One of Its Nastiest Kill Scenes [Exclusive Interview]". Dread Central. Archived from the original on 3 June 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  16. ^ 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. Retrieved 11 October 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ 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. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  18. ^ Remley, Hilary (8 September 2023). "Winnie the Pooh Is Back For Revenge in First 'Blood and Honey 2' Images". Collider. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  19. ^ Hirsch, Shari (8 September 2023). "Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey' Sequel First-Look Teases More Childhood Nightmares". MovieWeb. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  20. ^ 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!. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  21. ^ Ritman, Alex (8 September 2023). "'Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey' Sequel First-Look Images Revealed (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  22. ^ Ritman, Alex (17 May 2023). "Cannes: 'Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey' Slasher Sequel Cuts Deals Around the World (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  23. ^ 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. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  24. ^ Squires, John (30 January 2024). "'Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare': Exclusive Sneak Peek at the Upcoming Peter Pan Horror Movie". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  25. ^ Ritman, Alex (18 May 2024). "'Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey' Makers Unveil 'Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare' First Look (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  26. ^ TTCUNews [@TTCUNews] (1 May 2024). "The Current Release Schedule for the Twisted Childhood Universe movies are Peter Pan: 2024 Bambi: Early 2025 Pinocchio: 2025 Poohniverse: Late 2025 BAH 3: Early 2026" (Tweet). Retrieved 19 June 2024 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ a b Squires, John (17 January 2024). "Public Domain Horror Universe Expanding With 'Pinocchio: Unstrung' [Exclusive First Look]". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  28. ^ Clark, Brandy (2 November 2022). "'Peter Pan: Neverland Nightmare' Being Developed by Director of 'Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey'". Collider. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  29. ^ a b Squires, John (30 January 2024). "'Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare': Exclusive Sneak Peek at the Upcoming Peter Pan Horror Movie". Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  30. ^ Senzatimore, Renee (10 February 2023). "Peter Pan Horror Film Features a Darker, Drug-Addicted Tinkerbell". Comic Book Resource. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  31. ^ Squires, John (13 December 2023). "'Bambi: The Reckoning' Exclusive Update: Cast and Director Announced for Bambi Horror Movie". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  32. ^ McAndrews, Mary Beth (21 November 2022). "Bambi Becomes "A Vicious Killing Machine" In New Childhood-Ruining Horror Reimagining [Exclusive]". Dread Central. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  33. ^ Fuge, Jonathan (25 November 2022). "Bambi Horror Movie to Transform the Disney Character Into a Vicious Killing Machine". MovieWeb. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  34. ^ O'Rourke, Ryan (18 January 2024). "'Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2' Director Offers First Peek at 'Pinocchio: Unstrung'". Collider. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  35. ^ Bolt, Neil (18 January 2024). "Pinocchio Unstrung: First Details on Horror Movie From Blood and Honey Filmmakers". Yahoo Entertainment. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  36. ^ Ritman, Alex (28 March 2024). "Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 3' Confirmed (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  37. ^ "Jagged Edge Productions". IMDb. Amazon. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  38. ^ "Awakening Sleeping Beauty". IMDb. Amazon. Retrieved 4 April 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. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  42. ^ "New "Snow White Returns" Horror movie for the Tcu Lineup has been revealed at the Cannes Film Festival". Twisted Childhood Universe News. Twisted Childhood Universe News. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  43. ^ "Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey Director Teases Horror Versions of Peter Pan, Thor". Horror. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  44. ^ Phillips, T. C. (18 February 2023). "Blood & Honey Director Wants To Make TMNT & Teletubbies Horror Movies". ScreenRant. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  45. ^ Paudal (17 February 2023). "'Blood and Honey' Creators Reveal Idea for Powerpuff Girls Horror Movie (Exclusive)". Paudal. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  46. ^ "Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey". Rotten Tomatoes. 15 February 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  47. ^ "Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey". Metacritic. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  48. ^ "Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2". Rotten Tomatoes. 29 March 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  49. ^ "Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2". Metacritic. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
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