The popular video game franchise Five Nights at Freddy’s is finally getting a feature film adaptation, thanks to Blumhouse Productions and director Emma Tammi. The film, which is set to start production in February 2023, will bring the terrifying animatronic characters of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza to life with the help of Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming horror movie based on the cult game series.
The Plot and Story
Five Nights at Freddy’s follows Mike Schmidt is a night security guard who starts working at a local eatery called Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. He soon finds out that the job is not as simple as it seems, as the robotic animals that amuse kids during the day have their own wicked games at night.
Mike soon discovers that the animatronics are haunted by the souls of children who were murdered at the diner by a serial killer known as the Purple Guy. Mike must survive five nights of terror while trying to uncover the truth behind the murders and the secrets of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza.
The film is based on the first game of the franchise, which was released in 2014 by indie developer Scott Cawthon. The game was a huge success, spawning several sequels, spin-offs, novels, graphic novels, and fan-made games. The game series is known for its jump scares, hidden lore, and complex storylines that involve multiple timelines, alternate realities, and hidden clues.
The Star Cast and Roles
The film has assembled a talented cast of actors to portray the main characters of the story. Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games) will play Mike Schmidt, the protagonist and night guard. Mary Stuart Masterson (Benny & Joon) will play Aunt Jane, Mike’s supportive relative who helps him cope with his traumatic past. Lucas Grant (The Goldfinch) will play Garrett, Mike’s friend and co-worker who gives him tips on how to survive the night shift. David Huston Doty (The Walking Dead) will play Ghost Kid #3, one of the victims of the Purple Guy who haunts Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. Liam Hendrix (Stranger Things) will play Ghost Kid #4, another victim of the Purple Guy who haunts Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. Jophielle Love (General Hospital) will play Ghost Kid #5, yet another victim of the Purple Guy who haunts Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza.
Christian Stokes (The Purge) will play Hank, Mike’s boss and owner of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. Bailey Winston (Black-ish) will play Kim, Mike’s love interest and waitress at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. Theodus Crane (The Walking Dead) will play Jeremiah, Mike’s rival and former night guard who quit after experiencing paranormal events. Ryan Reinike (The Resident) will play Freddy’s Security Guard, a mysterious figure who monitors the diner from a hidden room. Victoria Patenaude (The Vampire Diaries) will play Social Worker, a professional who tries to help Mike with his mental health issues.
Ethan Jamieson (The Hunger Games) will play Janitor, a worker who cleans up the messes at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. Xander Mateo (Grey’s Anatomy) will play Afraid Young Boy, a customer who witnesses something horrifying at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. Kevin Foster (American Horror Story) will play Freddy Fazbear, the leader of the animatronic band and the main antagonist of the film. Jade Kindar-Martin (Mad Max: Fury Road) will play Bonnie, a rabbit animatronic who plays guitar and attacks Mike from behind.
Jess Weiss (Zombieland: Double Tap) will play Chica, a chicken animatronic who holds a cupcake and attacks Mike from the right. Cory Williams (The Walking Dead) will play Taxi Driver, a friendly driver who takes Mike to and from his job. Matthew Lillard (Scream) will play Steve Raglan, a reporter who investigates the murders at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza.
Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023) Movie Quick Info
| Title | Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023) |
| Genre | Horror |
| Based on | Five Nights at Freddy’s by Scott Cawthon |
| Directed by | Emma Tammi |
| Written by | Scott Cawthon, Emma Tammi, Seth Cuddeback |
| Produced by | Jason Blum, Scott Cawthon |
| Starring | Josh Hutcherson, Mary Stuart Masterson, Lucas Grant |
| Music by | The Newton Brothers |
| Cinematography | TBA |
| Edited by | TBA |
| Production companies | Blumhouse Productions, Striker Entertainment |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
| Release date | October 27, 2023 |
| Running time | 1 hour: 50 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $25 million |
The Release Date and Platform
Five Nights at Freddy’s is scheduled to be released on October 27, 2023 in theaters worldwide. Blumhouse Productions and Striker Entertainment collaborated to produce the film, which Universal Pictures distributes. Blumhouse is known for producing successful horror films such as Paranormal Activity, Insidious, The Purge, Get Out, Halloween, and The Invisible Man. Striker Entertainment is known for licensing popular properties such as The Hunger Games, The Walking Dead, Angry Birds, and Minecraft.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2023 Movie Trailer
The Budget and Expectations
Five Nights at Freddy’s has a budget of $25 million, which is relatively low for a horror film based on a popular video game franchise. However, Blumhouse has a track record of making profitable films with low budgets, such as Paranormal Activity, which cost $15,000 and grossed $193 million worldwide. The film is expected to appeal to fans of the game series, as well as general horror audiences who enjoy jump scares and creepy atmosphere. The film is also expected to generate interest from the media and critics, who will be curious to see how the game’s complex and mysterious story will be translated to the big screen.
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The Director and Writers
Five Nights at Freddy’s is directed by Emma Tammi, who made her feature debut in 2018 with the horror western The Wind. Tammi is also known for directing episodes of the anthology series Into the Dark and the supernatural drama Blood Moon. Tammi said that she is thrilled to step into the rich and terrifying world of Freddy’s alongside Scott Cawthon, Blumhouse, and Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. She said that she cannot wait for audiences to immerse themselves in the wild and wonderful playground they are creating.
The film is written by Scott Cawthon, the creator of the game series, along with Tammi and Seth Cuddeback. Cawthon said that he felt Tammi had a great understanding of the franchise, and that he felt that she could craft something that would please the fanbase and keep people on the edge of their seats. Cuddeback is a screenwriter and producer who has worked on films such as The Final Girls, Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse, and Freaky.
The Production Design and Effects
Five Nights at Freddy’s will feature practical effects and animatronics created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, the legendary company behind The Muppets, Sesame Street, Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, and many other iconic projects. The Creature Shop has already begun working on the animatronics, which will be based on the designs of the game characters. The film will also use CGI to enhance some of the scenes and create some of the ghostly effects. The film will be shot in various locations that resemble the diner setting of the game, such as old restaurants, warehouses, and amusement parks.
