The low-budget horror film Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, which went viral over the summer, is getting a theatrical release in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Mexico.
In an exclusive report from The Hollywood Reporter, Fathom Events acquired the rights for the dark take on A.A. Milne's beloved classic. The viral horror film Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey will have a one-day screening event hosted by Fathom Events at hundreds of theaters across the U.S. on Feb. 15. In addition, Altitude acquired streaming rights for the U.K., with Mexican chain Cinemex planning to release the film in several hundred theaters across the country and Cineplex handling the film's premiere Canadian theaters.
Blood and Honey Centers a Feral Winnie-the-Pooh
Directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield, the independent British slasher film reimagines A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepards Winnie-the-Pooh books. The film went under development after Winnie-the-Pooh entered the public domain in the United States, meaning that the Walt Disney Company no longer owned exclusive rights to the characters. Blood and Honey follows the story of Christopher Robin, who befriends Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet and all the other familiar faces in the Hundred Acre Wood. Christopher Robin plays with them, providing his pals from the Hundred Acre Wood with companionship and food. Unfortunately, as he grows up, his visits become less and less frequent, leaving his pals without food. As Pooh and Piglet face the reality of needing to fend for themselves, they turn feral and return to their animal roots. Pooh and Piglet grow increasingly unhinged, killing and eating their pals, including Eeyore, to survive. Unaware of the changes in his childhood friends, Christopher Robin returns to the forest, hoping to introduce the gang to his new wife. However, still feeling the sting of betrayal from having been abandoned, Pooh and Piglet go on a murderous rampage to devour human flesh.
Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey went into development on May 2022 after Josh Korngut of Dread Central reported on the adaptation. Filming took place over ten days in Ashdown Forest, located in East Sussex, England. Jagged Edge Productions collaborated with ITN Studios to produce and distribute the film. Released on July 22, 2022, Blood and Honey received mixed reviews, with Gizmodo writing, "The appeal of Blood & Honey will depend entirely on if you're willing to meet the movie halfway on its premise, and aren't immediately turned off by the idea of children's characters being turned into murderers or having some dark, edgy backstory."
Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey will release in theaters across the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Mexico for a one-day event on Feb. 15, 2023.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter