Silent Night, Deadly Night Team Discusses Ending And Sequel Potential

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Be warned, this article contains spoilers for Silent Night, Deadly Night! A fresh take on the character of Billy Chapman is making waves in the new Silent Night, Deadly Night film, and the filmmakers are planning to expand the story. This movie is the second reboot of the popular horror series, and it stars Rohan Campbell (known from Halloween Ends) as Billy, a young man haunted by the murder of his parents – a crime committed by someone dressed as Santa Claus. He now commits similar killings, targeting people he – and a voice in his head named Charlie – consider evil.

Featuring Ruby Modine (from Happy Death Day) and Mark Acheson (Elf), Silent Night, Deadly Night follows Billy as he begins to question his violent path after meeting Pam (Modine) during a stop in a small town. But when the voice pushing him to kill grows stronger and children start disappearing, Billy faces a difficult challenge.

The movie Silent Night, Deadly Night ends with Billy revealing to Pam that Charlie murdered his parents and somehow transferred his consciousness into Billy before dying. They also find the person who’s been abducting people, and Billy kills him, but is fatally wounded in the fight. Before he dies, Billy manages to transfer his consciousness into Pam, suggesting a strange future for them both.

Before the release of Silent Night, Deadly Night, which received mostly good reviews, Grant Hermanns from ScreenRant spoke with Rohan Campbell, Ruby Modine, and Mike P. Nelson about the film. When discussing the ending, where Billy dies, Campbell said he believed it was the only fitting conclusion, praising Nelson’s approach as “a fun way to pass the torch.”

Okay, so let me tell you what I thought. Rohan Campbell really believes the director, Mike, did something special with this one. He didn’t just remake the original; he genuinely reinvented it. I was a little bummed about a certain character’s departure, but Rohan hinted it’s not necessarily permanent, which is clever. Honestly, he thinks Mike is a genius for the way he handled that particular plot point and gave it a fresh spin. It’s a really cool move, and it definitely works.

Modine shared that the original script had a different ending for both of their characters, but he didn’t say what it was. He also mentioned he strongly believed it wasn’t necessary to change the ending during discussions with the director. Ultimately, Modine was thrilled with how the final version turned out.

The actress remembered filming the scene on the final day of shooting the horror remake, calling it a happy accident and a deeply emotional experience. The crew filmed all night, continuing until sunrise. Modine also shared that Nelson, without realizing it, made her cry by signaling the very end of production on Silent Night, Deadly Night. She wasn’t prepared to finish working on the film and say goodbye to the story and characters.

I finished my last shot, looked at the camera, and heard the director say “Cut!” and “That’s a wrap!” I was surprised – I felt like we should keep filming! I loved the world of the movie Silent Night, Deadly Night so much, I could happily have stayed working on it forever. It felt perfect.

Given the movie’s ending, which suggests Pam could become the new killer disguised as Santa, and its successful launch with both critics and audiences, another Silent Night, Deadly Night sequel is highly likely. While Campbell was hesitant to directly discuss a follow-up, he indicated that the decision rests with the studio, but expressed a strong desire for the cast to return, saying they would “have so much fun” doing it.

Nelson responded positively, but cautiously, to the idea of making a sequel, explaining they want to create a continuation that feels satisfying for audiences. He also jokingly mentioned that Winona Ryder has been frequently asking him for news about a follow-up film. Ryder herself expressed interest in a storyline exploring the experience of someone lingering in your thoughts after a relationship.

People frequently ask me about a follow-up to the project, constantly wondering when we’ll start working on it. And the answer is a definite yes! We have some incredibly wild and exciting ideas we’re exploring, and I’m really hoping we get to bring them to life. It’s going to be completely over-the-top and amazing.

Rohan Campbell Delighted In Handling Many Of His Stunts By Himself

I really love that this movie is bringing back a classic story! It’s cool to be a part of that. Having also worked on Halloween Ends, I was curious what the biggest takeaway from that experience was, and how it influenced things here.

I’ve always loved horror movies, and working on ‘Halloween’ really showed me how special the fanbase is – whether people loved the film or not, everyone was so engaged. The best part of ‘Halloween Ends’ was definitely being part of that community and helping to bring the movie to life. People often ask if I want to continue working in the horror genre, and the answer is a definite yes! I truly enjoy it and especially love connecting with the fans.

Despite strong opinions, people in the horror community are often very supportive and passionate.

Look, what really makes this industry and these films successful is creating something that people will either love or hate – it needs to spark conversation and be enjoyable. That’s the key, and I think that’s why so many of us enjoy being involved in this fandom.

ScreenRant commented on how impactful Billy’s character is in the film, noting the internal conflict between his darker impulses, represented by the voice of ‘Charlie,’ and his wish for a more peaceful life. They asked what it was like for me as an actor to portray those two opposing forces within a single character.

I really enjoyed playing both sides of the character. What’s great about this movie is its strong focus on romance and human connection. Whenever I wasn’t playing the villainous ‘Killer Billy,’ I was surrounded by a really heartwarming character, making it easy to switch between the two. For a couple of weeks during filming, it honestly felt like we were making a classic, feel-good romantic comedy, almost like a Hallmark movie. Then, on the other hand, Mike and I were just swinging axes and being completely different characters – it was a blast! It’s similar to what I got to do in Halloween Ends, exploring both sides of a person, and it’s a really interesting thing to do as an actor.

ScreenRant highlighted a particularly enjoyable scene—the one where the character eliminates a group of Nazis—and asked about its production. They noted the scene’s large scale, with many actors, and were curious about the logistical challenges of filming it.

I first read that scene in the script and thought it was wild! It was funny because I’d actually just seen the movie in theaters the Christmas before I got the script – I know I’m a little late to the party! I was already inclined to say yes to the project, but when I read that particular scene, I honestly doubted it would make the final cut. But then, when I arrived on set, we were definitely filming it! I had the chance to rehearse and learn everything, which was great, and the stunts were so much fun to do with that amazing stunt team. It was a blast! I remember walking onto the set and just being shocked by it all – it was insane! We spent about two days in the barn with the crew and stunt team, and a huge axe. It was a really good time!

ScreenRant asked if there was a particular stunt the actor enjoyed performing, noting the variety of action sequences, from close combat to jumping over a bar.

I really enjoyed the chance to learn the choreography and work through it repeatedly. Seeing the stunts come together in wide shots made it feel genuinely risky, which was exciting. It was a lot of fun putting everything together – especially things like the leg chop and the scene with the spilling guts, which I found hilarious. There were so many great moments, like watching her use the machine gun and run away. It was a wild few days on set.

As a huge movie fan, I have to say this film is packed with some seriously impressive kills! I’m dying to know – do you have a particular favorite moment, or are there just too many amazing ones to choose from?

I especially enjoyed the scene where the character’s head splits in the armchair. The shot through the window during the death sequence was really fun to watch. Filming it was great too – I had to hit a specific spot on a dummy perfectly, which took a lot of concentration, but was a blast. I remember everyone being shocked when we finished the take – they said it looked amazing. That scene was probably my favorite; it turned out really well.

ScreenRant: Did they have some prosthetic blood in that dummy as well?

Rohan Campbell: Oh, yeah! Mike is not cheap on the blood.

Silent Night, Deadly Night’s Producers Needed No Convincing For The Movie’s Epic Nazi-Killing Scene

ScreenRant mentioned the movie Elf, and I remember it being my first time hearing Mark Acheson’s work. I’m curious how you decided he was the right choice to voice Charlie, especially since he shares so much screen time with Rohan throughout the film.

We were really impressed with his audition. We initially planned to film in Vancouver, but the timing didn’t work out – it got too late in the year, and we couldn’t get everything organized quickly enough. By the time we were ready to shoot in July, it just wasn’t feasible. He’d already auditioned early on, and it was clear he was perfect. His voice was exactly what we needed, and he even filmed his audition, showing his facial expressions – which was great, even though the movie mostly just uses his voice. The way he performed really sold us – I immediately knew he was right for the part! He and Ruby were actually the first two actors we cast.

ScreenRant asked Ruby about her fascination with true crime, especially considering she lives in a peaceful small town with a loving family. They wanted to know why she seems to handle the disruption Billy causes so well.

That’s a good question. I think the small-town setting plays a big role. She sees Billy as an outsider, even though she’s from there too. She’s comfortable with her quiet life, and then he arrives as someone new and interesting. He brings a bit of excitement, which immediately grabs her attention, especially since she’s fascinated by true crime. She gets really excited when she discovers his secret.

ScreenRant: That reveal is great. I’m just amazed that she’s like, “Yeah, I’ll stay.”

Ruby Modine described a moment where someone mentioned, “Charlie says he likes you,” and the recipient reacted with excited disbelief. She felt it was a clear sign of true love – a feeling so strong it felt like it could have been either an incredible battle or a perfect connection, with no middle ground.

You know, as a fan, I’ve always loved how Billy is written. He’s terrifying when he needs to be, but then you see him with Ruby, and it’s like a completely different person. I was really interested to hear the writer talk about how they made sure that duality came across – how they balanced the scary parts with his more vulnerable, human side. It’s a tricky thing to pull off, and they did it so well!

I have to say, Billy is a fascinating character. He initially comes across as a genuinely good person, but it’s clear he’s battling something internal, something…darker. And that’s what makes him so relatable, honestly. He’s not some grand hero or villain; he’s just a regular guy – the person walking down the street, or even you or me. The writers intentionally kept him grounded that way. But then, you discover his secret, and that’s where the story really takes off. It’s a compelling mystery, and we learn so much about who he is through how he deals with this… let’s call it a ‘gift’. A lot of the fun comes from watching that internal struggle play out, especially in his interactions with Pam. She really forces him to confront those hidden parts of himself. If the story had just focused on his ‘good’ side, it wouldn’t have been nearly as interesting. Pam brings out his flaws, creating this constant tension. You’re left wondering, ‘Who is this guy?’ and desperately wanting to see what happens next. There’s a real push and pull to his character that makes him utterly captivating.

ScreenRant notes that this development creates genuine tension for the audience, making us invested in Billy’s story instead of simply waiting for the next murder.

I really wanted to make sure this film wasn’t just mindless violence. I’m not interested in making typical slasher movies. My films take their time. We’ll spend time getting to know the characters, and then surprise you with something unexpected shortly after. That’s the kind of storytelling I enjoy.

During an interview with ScreenRant, Mike was asked about the intense scene where Nazis are killed. The interviewer mentioned that Rohan had previously expressed uncertainty about whether the scene would make it into the final cut. Mike was then asked how he convinced the producers to include it.

I actually didn’t need to persuade the producer about the idea, though I initially thought I would. When I presented it, I worried they’d think it was too ambitious or impossible. But they immediately loved it and wanted it in the movie. They were more worried about a scene where Ruby aggressively uses a hockey stick, fearing the audience would dislike the character Pam. Surprisingly, viewers actually embraced Pam’s tough side.

The Nazi scene was a must-have, and everyone was enthusiastic about it, even though we were short on time. The cast and crew really pulled it off, especially Rohan, who learned to use an axe convincingly in just a few hours. The choreography was carefully planned, and our stunt coordinator worked with him to memorize it. The stunt players were well-prepared, and we aimed to film longer takes to make the action feel more continuous. We wanted to show Rohan’s full movements and his reactions, not just quick cuts. You can see him taking out multiple opponents in a single swing before he’s attacked, and we made sure the scene conveyed that he was the one performing the actions.

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2025-12-19 03:38