With the release of Five Nights At Freddy’s 2 set for December 5, 2025, star Josh Hutcherson has shared insights about the film’s connection to the popular video game franchise. The sequel builds on the story of Hutcherson’s character, Mike Schmidt, a former security guard at the haunted Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. The film explores the aftermath of his experiences with killer animatronics, while also involving his younger sister, Abby, played by Piper Rubio.
In an interview with Variety, Hutcherson discussed how he approached the character without extensive prior knowledge of the franchise. Since its inception in 2014, Five Nights At Freddy’s has garnered a massive following, largely due to content creators such as MatPat and Markiplier. Hutcherson admitted that he was initially unaware of the franchise’s “absolutely rabid fanbase” but quickly recognized the importance of staying true to the game’s lore.
The film features a talented ensemble cast, including Elizabeth Lail, Wayne Knight, and Matthew Lillard, with special appearances by Megan Fox and YouTuber MatPat voicing animatronics. As the story unfolds, Mike and Abby confront the dark mysteries and tragedies associated with the pizza establishment and its sinister creator, William Afton.
Hutcherson emphasized the commitment to game accuracy in the sequel. He noted, “The main focus is making something that the FNAF fandom will go crazy for.” He described the challenges of interpreting the game into film, often questioning how certain elements could be translated realistically. “Sometimes I’m like, ‘This doesn’t make any sense! How can I possibly do this?’ And they’re like, ‘It’s from the game,’” he explained.
The film’s production also involves intricate work with animatronics, crafted by the Jim Henson Creature Shop. Hutcherson revealed that Five Nights At Freddy’s 2 features “more than double” the number of animatronics compared to its predecessor. He specifically mentioned a character named Mangle, which requires a team of 10 to 12 people to operate effectively.
Describing the filming process, Hutcherson explained the complexity involved: “The stunt actor has to turn and look to the right, but then three people with remote controls have to make the eyes time with the blink. You’ll do 10 takes because the animatronic movement isn’t quite working. That one take the animatronic is perfect, you better be perfect too, because that’s the one that’s going in the movie.”
Hutcherson concluded with a tantalizing hint about the film’s plot, suggesting that the animatronics may find a way to escape the pizzeria, raising the stakes for both characters and audiences alike. As anticipation builds for the film’s release, fans of the franchise are eager to see how this new chapter unfolds in the Five Nights At Freddy’s saga.