Probably the most unlikely success tales in movie in recent times is undoubtedly “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey.” Directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield, the ultra-low-budget slasher film, which put a violent spin on A.A. Milne’s beloved creations, went viral earlier than the film even arrived. It took off like a rocket, spawning a whole so-called Twisted Childhood Universe from the oldsters at Jagged Edge Productions. A part of that features “Blood and Honey 3,” which has simply introduced aboard a brand new, albeit controversial, screenwriter.
In keeping with Selection, Richard Stanley (“{Hardware},” “The Island of Dr. Moreau”) has been tapped to pen the script for “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3,” which is ready to start filming early subsequent yr. Scott Chambers, who produced the primary two motion pictures, is now set to direct the third installment, with Frake-Waterfield staying on board as a producer. The brand new entry can also be mentioned to hold an even bigger funds than the primary two, and Jagged Edge is utilizing a few of that funds to convey Stanley on board. It is a choice that raises an amazing many questions.
Stanley is one thing of an indie movie legend who, at one level, was very revered. He made a giant comeback with “Coloration Out of Area” in 2020. Nevertheless, Stanley was accused of home abuse in 2021 by his former associate Scarlett Amaris. In a weblog put up on the time, she detailed cases of alleged bodily abuse by Stanley, leading to accidents corresponding to bruises, sprained fingers, marks on her throat, and even a concussion.
Whereas Stanley denied the claims made in opposition to him, he has largely not labored in Hollywood for the reason that accusations had been made. SpectreVision, which produced “Coloration Out of Area,” minimize ties with Stanley and vowed to donate future income from the movie to charities dedicated to stopping home violence. So, why would Chambers and Frake-Waterfield hassle courting any controversy with a budding franchise by hiring Stanley? That is the most important lingering query.
Why would Blood and Honey 3 court docket pointless controversy?
For Stanley, the motivations are clear: He needs to get again into filmmaking, and A-list jobs with huge studios are very clearly nonetheless off the desk. So in fact he would take the chance to jot down “Blood and Honey 3,” as these motion pictures have garnered a whole lot of consideration. And, not for nothing, “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2” was seen as a serious enchancment over its predecessor. So, why not get in whereas the tide is rising? Stanley had this to say about it:
“I’m wildly excited to be becoming a member of Scott Chambers and his artistic staff as screenwriter on the mind-wrenching third installment of a beloved, blood-soaked saga that has revitalized impartial style movie manufacturing within the U.Okay. The hundred acre wooden won’t ever be the identical once more!”
However the of us at Jagged Edge Leisure have actually begun to make a reputation for themselves, releasing different motion pictures like “Bambi: The Reckoning” and “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare” not too long ago that additional expanded the scope of the franchise. Why on Earth would they rent an accused abuser when their inventory is on the rise? Even setting apart any very apparent ethical objections one would rightfully have, it makes no enterprise sense. In brief, it is senseless irrespective of how one needs to spin it. The one consideration Stanley brings is dangerous consideration. It is a baffling transfer. Chambers, for his half, had this to say about it:
“I’ve all the time been an enormous fan of ‘Coloration Out of Area’ and all of Richard’s work. Now, with the third installment underway, I can not wait to see his wild new imaginative and prescient come to life. Work has already begun — and it guarantees to take every part to a completely new stage.”
Apart from the forthcoming sequel, the studio can also be on the brink of enter manufacturing on “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” which is able to convey collectively characters from many of those Twisted Childhood Universe motion pictures beneath one roof. Once more, the studio has huge ambitions, and now they’re courting controversy for no good cause, which may threaten their budding fame in Hollywood. This appears like an unforced error.
“Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” does not at present have a launch date, however keep tuned.
