No Beloved Character Is Safe from Horror Makeovers

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Who knew Winnie the Pooh had such a dark side?

In “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey,” the endearing character of Winnie the Pooh is transformed into a terrifying, revenge-driven beast, causing chaos and fear for Christopher Robin and his companions.

The 2023 low-budget shocker ($100K) earned enough to warrant a sequel. More installments may ensue.

What could possibly lead someone to transform a lovable critter into a terrifying movie monster for shock effect? Recognizability is another factor at play here as well.

Primarily, the copyright for the character lapsed in 2022, meaning Disney no longer holds an exclusive claim on it (however, they still own the rights to the animated bear). Moreover, Winnie-the-Pooh is certainly not the only one in this situation.

More well-known characters like Mickey Mouse and Popeye have recently become available for use without copyright restrictions, and they’ve attracted budget-conscious filmmakers in the horror genre who are keen on exploiting these popular properties.

Now, it’s Bambi’s turn.

This summer, the enchanting Disney character “Bambi” steps into a chilling spotlight in the horror movie titled “Bambi: The Dark Legacy”. The film is set to hit cinemas across the country on July 25th.

Following a car accident involving a mother and her son, they find themselves pursued by Bambi, a genetically altered deer suffering profound grief, who has embarked on a lethal spree to avenge the loss of his own mother.

It’s quite different from the iconic 1969 short student film, “Bambi Meets Godzilla.” In this case, Bambi has taken on a more aggressive role.

The preview leans more towards violence, shock moments, and chaos, rather than developing characters or storylines. Yet, it seems this could be intentional.

As a cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that the upcoming movie boasts some fresh talents like Roxanne McKee, Russell Geoffrey, and Tom Mulheron, alongside Nicola Wright, who graced our screens in “Blood and Honey 2”. This blend of newcomers keeps the budget reasonable, adding to why horror movies are experiencing a resurgence right now.

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2025-05-19 21:03