Aladdin Horror Movie: The Monkey’s Paw – A Dark Twist on Classic Tales

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Prepare yourself for a fresh take on terror… The tradition of transforming cherished childhood stories into terrifying scenarios persists, and this time it’s Agrabah’s street rat that’s under the spotlight. Exclusively reported by Deadline, an independent horror film titled Aladdin: The Monkey’s Paw is set to start production next month in the UK. This project hails from Empire Studios, Every Entertainment, and 8th Law Pictures. Unlike its focus on enchanted carpets and clever genies, this rendition is billed as a “grim, supernatural reinterpretation” of the timeless tale. Aladdin: The Monkey’s Paw strays significantly from the adored Disney animated film by blending Aladdin elements with the monkey’s paw trope that horror enthusiasts hold dear.

In this updated version of the classic tale, Aladdin finds himself in modern-day London, inheriting a monkey’s paw rumored to grant wishes. However, as he learns, every wish comes at an unbearable cost. The ensemble cast includes Nick Sagar, Ricky Norwood, and Montana Manning, with Bradley Stryker serving both as director and an actor. Charley McDougall wrote the screenplay and produces alongside Jamie McLeod-Ross, Nick Sagar, and Bradley Stryker.

Charley McDougall, the writer-producer, shared that their aim has always been to delve into horror from a personal perspective, not just focusing on the fear factors, but also examining the emotional toll associated with desires. They described the story as something that’s long lingered in their minds and now it’s time for its release. McDougall emphasized that this isn’t just another horror movie; instead, they are constructing a realm around an emblematic idea. The symbol, the lore, the characters – everything is integral to the narrative.

Director Stryker underscored the intended rhythm of the film: “This film will offer a thrilling experience – it’s all about the ups and downs; the highs and lows of our dreams and ambitions… and then we juxtapose that with a genre film where the risks have never been more sinister yet engaging.

Aladdin is Just the Latest Disney Classic to Become a Horror Movie

The Monkey’s Paw” follows a common trend in independent cinema due to copyright laws. When the initial versions of certain characters and tales (like those later made famous by Disney) lose their copyright protection after publication, they become part of the public domain. This means that filmmakers can utilize these original stories without needing approval from the corporations tied to the more well-known adaptations made later. Over the years, this legal gray area has led to an increase in low-budget horror movies that reinterpret childhood favorites with darker, often violent narratives.

It’s been argued that the surge in public domain horror stories started when A.A. Milne’s 1926 book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain in the U.S. in 2022. Shortly after, UK-based Jagged Edge Productions, led by Rhys Frake-Waterfield, released “Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey,” a low-budget slasher film that depicted Pooh and Piglet as violent killers seeking revenge on Christopher Robin. Despite negative reviews and numerous Razzie awards, the movie’s viral popularity led to profitability and a sequel, “Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2,” released in March 2024 with slightly better reviews. Tigger was introduced in this sequel. A third installment, “Blood and Honey 3,” is planned for 2026 with a larger budget.

With Pooh’s departure, J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan entering the public domain paved the way for Scott Chambers’ 2025 film, “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”. This movie portrayed a disturbed and sinister version of Peter Pan. The production company, Jagged Edge Productions, has coined these connected films as “The Twisted Childhood Universe” (TCU) or the “Poohniverse”. Following this is the release of “Bambi: The Reckoning”, based on Felix Salten’s 1923 novel, directed by Dan Allen and scheduled for mid-2025. The trailer reveals a terrifying version of Bambi as a mutated “deadly killing machine”. Other upcoming TCU films include “Pinocchio: Unstrung” and the crossover “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble”.

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2025-04-15 13:40