The upcoming movie called “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” takes a scary and different approach to the beloved children’s character. It is written and directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield and presents a slasher thriller version of the story with characters from A. A. Milne’s books. Despite Winnie the Pooh being popular, it is banned in China. In this film, as the original stories become available for anyone to use, Pooh and Piglet become violent and go on a killing spree, moving away from their usual charming and happy adventures.
When stills from the independent production Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey were shared online, it generated a lot of attention. The public had mixed reactions to the news, with some feeling horrified by the transformation of Winnie the Pooh and expressing concerns about the potential risks when well-known works enter the public domain. On the other hand, there were those who showed genuine interest and curiosity in the unusual concept, appreciating the director’s imaginative and creative approach.
How A Winnie The Pooh Horror Movie Can Be Made? (What About Copyrights?)
Each year, a significant number of creative works enter the public domain. These works, whether literary or artistic, are no longer protected by intellectual property rights. This means that anyone is free to use, create, publish, or distribute new works based on them without needing to obtain a license or permission. According to U.S. copyright law, works published between 1923 and 1977 would enter the public domain 95 years after their initial publication. This allows for greater accessibility and utilization of these works by the public.
In the current year, works published in 1926, including A. A. Milne’s original Winnie the Pooh book, have entered the public domain. However, in 1966, Disney obtained the copyrights to the characters and created their own versions of Pooh, including the iconic yellow bear wearing a red shirt, as well as other characters like Piglet, Eeyore, and Christopher Robin. Consequently, everything specifically mentioned and depicted in the book became available for public use. Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey is solely based on the 1926 book, featuring Pooh and Piglet dressed in lumberjack suits and black clothing, respectively. Since characters like Tigger were introduced in later works and are still under copyright, they will not appear in this horror film adaptation.
Indeed, this film adaptation, Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey, is distinct from the familiar Disney version of Winnie the Pooh that many people grew up with. When a work enters the public domain, it can be freely shared, performed, reused, repurposed, or sampled without the need for permission or payment. This provides opportunities for creative expression and reinterpretation of the original material without legal constraints.
Winnie The Pooh: Blood & Honey Plot Details
Recently, the director of Winnie The Pooh: Blood and Honey revealed details about the horror film’s plot. When Christopher Robin left Winnie the Pooh and Piglet for college, the two were neglected and forced to fend for themselves, causing them to go back to their animal roots and become feral. Pooh and Piglet resorted to hunting prey and eating their victims; prior to the events of the film, the two even ate Eeyore in order to survive. Years later, Christopher would return with his wife, but his old friends’ hatred and resentment had already spilled over into a murderous rampage targeting college girls.
Winnie The Pooh: Blood & Honey Cast
In the independent film “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey,” the main cast consists of Craig David Dowsett as Winnie the Pooh and Chris Cordell as Piglet. They are supported by a small ensemble including Amber Doig-Thorne, Danielle Scott, Maria Taylor, Danielle Ronald, Natasha Tosini, May Kelly, Paula Coiz, and Natasha Rose Mills. The production features a modest cast and crew, highlighting the independent nature of the project.
The Pooh: Blood & Honey Release Date
According to Hollywood reports, production for “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” concluded in early May of this year. The filming process for the movie has been completed.
“Because of all the attention and media coverage, we’re going to speed up the editing and post-production process as much as possible,” Waterfield explained. “However, we will also ensure that the quality of the film remains high. It will be given top priority.”
Although an official premiere date has not been announced, there are expectations that “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” could potentially be ready for release in late 2022 or early 2023. However, until an official announcement is made, the exact timing of the film’s release remains uncertain.
