With Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare, the makers of Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey haven’t exactly redeemed themselves, but I’m open. We’re in a phase of turning public domain children’s characters into horror movies (see also The Mousetrap and Popeye the Slayer Man). If you’re going to do the inevitable, do it well. This one looks like there’s something clever going on, though if you’re someone automatically out because of child endangerment, I understand.
The press release goes as follows:
From Jagged Edge Productions and ITN Studios, the makers of Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey 1 & 2, comes Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare, a new entry in the Twisted Childhood Universe. Written and directed by Scott Chambers, Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare arrives in theaters for three days only starting January 13, 2025 until January 15, 2025 only from Iconic Events Releasing.
The newest entry into the Poohniverse follows Wendy Darling as she strikes out in an attempt to rescue her brother Michael from the clutches of the evil Peter Pan who intends to send him to Neverland. Along the way she meets a twisted Tinkerbell, who is hooked on what she thinks is fairy dust.
From the trailer, it’s possible that Peter Pan does actually take children to “Neverland” in some misguided mission to save them. That both is and isn’t accurate to J.M. Barrie’s original story. Most people miss the implication in the novel that Peter may dispose of his Lost Boys when they get too old. Fantasy artist and writer Brom explored the idea further in their novel The Child Thief. So this idea isn’t new, but whether by budget restriction or purposeful intention, Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare looks more grounded and straightforward slasher.
Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare features Megan Placito (The Salt Path, TV’s “Doctors,” “Father Brown”) as Wendy Darling, Martin Portlock (TV’s “Britain’s Got Talent”) as Peter Pan, Kit Green (Dragon’s Dogma 2 video game) as Tinkerbell, Peter DeSouza-Feighoney (The Pope’s Exorcist, Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2) as Michael, Kierston Wareing (Fish Tank, It’s A Free World, The Holding) as Roxy and with Nicholas Woodeson (Skyfall, The Man Who Knew Too Little, John Carter) as Steven. It is produced by Rhys Frake-Waterfield (Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey 1 & 2) and executive produced by Stuart Alson (Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey 1 & 2) and Nicole Holland (Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey 1 & 2).
We knew this was coming, as Jagged Edge Productions doubled down on their Twisted Childhood Universe/Poohniverse (they can’t decide which) last year. Hopefully that’s more just clever marketing than actual shared universe. This trailer looks miles above their previous offerings. Granted, a trailer can cut around bad performances, but this still looks more polished in acting and cinematography so I have… hope. I’m thinking happy thoughts.
Playing in theaters from January 13 to January 15 only (for now), tickets for Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare can be purchased online at Iconic Events Releasing or at participating theater’s box office starting on December 18, 2024. That’s another smart strategy, and showing how the theatrical landscape is shifting — find your audience ahead of time, don’t overbook, and make your very very niche film an event for exactly those people who want that event. Heck, it worked for Hundreds of Beavers and that grew a strong following.
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