Written By: Sam Santiago
Few independent horror franchises have enjoyed the longevity of Puppet Master. Sure, the series has had its highs and lows over the past 35 years; what franchise hasn’t? One thing has remained constant: horror fans simply can’t get enough of Blade, Pinhead, Tunneler and the rest of Charles Band‘s pint-sized killers.
Now, it looks like one of horror’s biggest modern studios could be preparing to breathe new life into the franchise.
According to a quote attributed to Charles Band’s latest book that has begun circulating online, Blumhouse has reportedly secured an option to develop a brand newPuppet Master reboot. If the reported comments are accurate, the agreement could extend beyond a single film, with the possibility of a television series also being explored.
The quote, first shared online by Brain Mutant, reads:
“We finally closed a deal with Blumhouse, the biggest name in what’s left of the horror world. It was a lucrative option deal for them to make a big reboot of Puppet Master. A movie, yes, and possibly a series as well. Best of all, I get to hold on to all my Puppet Master stuff, the movies and the merch. Honestly, I can’t wait to see what they come up with.”
If the quote is authentic, one detail immediately stands out.
Band specifically refers to the agreement as an option deal, not a full acquisition of the property. In Hollywood, that typically means a studio has secured the exclusive opportunity to develop a project while assembling talent, financing and distribution before officially moving forward. According to the reported quote, Band would also retain ownership of the existing films and merchandising rights.
For longtime fans, that’s probably the best possible outcome.
Full Moon has spent decades building the Puppet Master brand into one of independent horror’s most recognizable franchises. Since debuting in 1989, the murderous puppets have appeared in 15 feature films, comic books, collectibles and video games, proving there’s still plenty of life left in Andre Toulon‘s deadly creations. There are so many Puppet Master items out there you’d be hard-pressed not to see something while at a horror movie convention or comic con.
The franchise last received a fresh start with 2018’s Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich, written by S. Craig Zahler. While the reboot divided audiences with its over the top violence and dark sense of humor, many horror fans praised its practical creature effects and willingness to embrace outrageous splatter. Plans for additional entries in that continuity ultimately never materialized.
If Blumhouse is indeed stepping into the toy box, it raises an intriguing question.
Could one of horror’s most successful modern studios finally deliver the mainstreamPuppet Master film fans have been waiting decades to see? Blumhouse has already helped revive iconic franchises includingHalloween, The Exorcist andThe Black Phone, and while not every reboot has been universally embraced, the studio certainly knows how to introduce classic horror properties to new audiences.
Neither Blumhouse nor Full Moon Features has officially announced a new Puppet Master project. At the time of writing, the reported option deal has not been publicly confirmed by the studio. We’ll bring you more when we get it. We were first told about this news via our friends at Dread Central.