Two giant names in the horror community are coming together, and the project bringing them together is the upcoming Pinocchio: Unstrung.
Variety reports Robert Englund will star in the film alongside Richard Brake, who will play the critical role of Geppetto. The feature, set in the Twisted Childhood Universe, follows young James as he learns of his grandfather Geppetto’s deadly secret: Pinocchio. Cameron Bell, Jessica Balmer, Jack Art Gray, and Peter De Souza-Feighoney also star.
Englund made slashers cool again in the 1980s with A Nightmare on Elm Street and his killer, Freddy Krueger. He’s also starred in Behind The Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon, Urban Legend, and Wishmaster.
Pinocchio: Unstrung comes from filmmaker Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey, the duo known for Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey. Since that film’s success and the surprisingly decent sequel, their prolific horror banner, Jagged Edge Productions, has launched a low-budget horror film universe with many planned films.
The Pinocchio doll for the film was recently teased in its practical effects glory and comes from Todd Masters, the Emmy-winning special effects artist known for Tales From the Crypt: Demon Knight and Child’s Play.
“Not only is the script dark, twisted, and gory. It’s also, at times, very funny. Todd Masters and his team have created incredible practical effects. Audiences are in for a crazy ride,” Brake said in a statement.
Brake is best known in the horror world for his work in films like Mandy, 3 From Hell, and Barbarian.
“I’ve forever loved the original and demented story from the 1880s. So I was excited to join this production, to bring this little puppet to life — with all practical FX,” Masters added. “This version is still a little puppet’s pursuit to becoming a boy… but the way he becomes one is extremely gnarly… and frankly, very fun.”
Pinocchio: Unstrung is set for a Summer 2025 release.
