Alright! Another HHN in the books, another speculation season underway. Now to get my speculation out of my system! *cracks knuckles*
First the houses on what I think we’ll get/feel pretty good about:
Another Hispanic urban legends house: Kinda obvious at this point. Gonna bet on something involving the Chupacabra or something with Aztec mummies. If I’m not mistaken, I think some of the monsters from Pueblo del Terror appeared in Monstrous? Maybe I’m wrong? If so maybe an Aztec Mummy house? Chuppa? Or both?
Freddy and Jason comeback: It’s worth noting that the rights to Friday the 13th have been legally settled as of September. Don’t have time to look back but I think they decided that the original creator of the series owns the rights legally. It will also be the 40th anniversary of the original NoES (Which they haven’t done!) I know people are kinda iffy about that happening with WB being a wild card, but I think it’s time for Freddy and Jason to come back. It’s been literally 13 years since they had their own individual houses and even then they were based on the remakes. It also will have been 7 years since they’ve been here last so…it’s time.
Five Nights at Freddy’s: This should be the obvious no-brainer I’m willing to put money down on, but Cawthon might be a wildcard here and say “No I don’t want this”. Assuming that won’t be an issue, I think that’s a will be the SFX-heavy house next year.
Chucky repeat: Not a fan of this honestly, but with how much money they must’ve spent on those Chucky AAs, I’m sure they’re trying to figure out a way to get more use out of them. We saw a similar scenario play out here with AVP as they spent so much moolah on that house that they straight-up reused it. I could also see this scenario play out especially if Freddy and Jason comeback. Having those two plus Chucky would be an insanely marketable line-up. The kicker here is that because it was in a sound stage, they could keep it up all year which it sounds like they did. Here since it's an outside tent....not really possible. There is also another way they could reuse those Chucky puppets and that brings me to.....
Universal Monsters: Ideally, I would love to see just one more proper classic monsters house with Gilly.....but after the seemingly "eh" reception to this year's Unmasked house....I have a feeling they will either take a break from the Universal Monsters, or do something that broadens the scope of what is considered "Universal Monsters". I think someone brought up an idea of having a Monsters house that covers the old-school sci-fi monsters movies from the 50's and 60's. I freaking love that idea. Another I idea that was shared to me by HydraGen on closing night of HHN was make a "House of Horrors" concept. It will have been a full decade since the HoH closed at USH, so why not honor it with a "tribute house"? It could also be the "budget house" of the event by reusing the UM sets and even the Chucky AAs!
Exterminatorz house: Yeah, looking at the clues Murdy gace, I think we'll see it. IDK how well the Tram did on GSATs, but I guess it did well enough to warrant its own house. I hope so because I think it would be fun!
Silent Hill: Only thing is IDK if they will want two video game houses assuming FNAF is happening, but we all know Murdy did say he was interested in doing it again, so I think this will fall under the "returning fan favorite house from years ago" category that La Llorona and Holidayz has established the past couple of years. Hopefully this time in a sound stage?
Shows: New Purge show and another Blumhouse show in DWT. Why fix what ain't broken. Also, I think we'll be at eight houses. Don't see Metro being used as the pent up demand from the writers strike will probably stifle that opportunity. As for Tram....Freddy and Jason is what I'm feeling if they get to do it again, or some IP. I don't know....Strangers Tram?
The "Eh...possible but a longshot" or better yet, "I wanna see it happen but it probably won't":
It: I know some of you are like "Yeah, no", but with HMH now way behind us, maybe WB will play ball with HHN? Unless Fright Fest snags It....I think it's possible.
Scream: I'm just going to assume it ain't happening. We've all been burned too much by this. But like Hydra said, there's no movie coming out this year due to the writers strike so maybe Paramount will play ball to keep the IP fresh in people's heads.
The Thing: After seeing Chucky and Monstrous change the game with mechanical effects, imagine what they could do with the Thing! It would be amazing, but I'm not holding my breath.
Wild Cards:
The Weeknd: Dawn FM: I only see this if they can't get Freddy and Jason again. He's doing a North American Tour so there's that. I think it's possible.
Jordan Peele movie next year: Might be the next marketing mandate house that Believer was. We'll see. Isn't he remaking People Under the Stairs?
That's all I've got for initial speculation. What do y'all think?
