Summary
- Making the movie for existing fans of Five Nights at Freddy's is crucial in order to tap into what already makes the property great and honor the passion of the fan base.
- By focusing on the already passionate fans, the creators are able to dig into what made them love the game and develop a story that expands on those aspects, attracting new audiences in the process.
- The involvement of Scott Cawthon, the game's creator, ensures that the movie stays true to the original vision while also finding opportunities to expand upon lesser-known elements.
Jason Blum breaks down why Five Nights At Freddy's was made with already-existing fans in mind and why Hollywood should approach adaptations with this mindset. Hollywood lives and breathes on adaptations, whether it be comic books, novels, video games, or even television series adapted into movies and vice versa. However, many of these movies, especially in the superhero genre, are made with the general audience in mind rather than the hardcore fans of the property. While this can make the movie more accessible to new fans, it can also alienate existing fans.
Screen Rant spoke with Blum about Five Nights At Freddy's during New York Comic Con. He discussed collaborating with the original game creator, Scott Cawthon. Blum also explained why he believes it is important to focus on making a movie for the people who are already fans of Five Nights At Freddy's first and foremost. Check out Blum's full quote below:
Jason Blum: Yeah, I think we did something unique with Scott [Cawthon], which was he led the notion of, we really, I think Hollywood makes a mistake when they're using IP to try and make a movie for people who know the IP and people who don't, and with Scott, we really focused on making a movie for the fans and really only for the fans. If other people come and other people like it, that's great, too. But the movie really was in service of the fans, and I think they'll be happy when they see it.
Why Tapping Into Five Nights At Freddy's Existing Fans Should Take Precedence
Five Nights At Freddy's has not only developed an expansive lore but has also grown a truly impressive fan base. The fans are passionate about the lore, atmosphere, and jump scares that are the heart of the game. By making the movie for these fans, Five Nights At Freddy's can lean into what already makes the property so great instead of trying to find something in it that can draw in people who have no connection to the game.
By making the movie for the already passionate fans, the creators are forced to dig into what made them love the property and how to flesh out those aspects into a full-blown story. Instead of focusing on how to draw in the largest audience, the Five Nights At Freddy's team keyed in on why so many people love the game and how to honor that passion, which will inevitably draw in new audiences.
Scott Cawthon, the creator of Five Nights At Freddy's and its ever-growing lore, helped the movie stay true to his original vision while also finding areas to expand that may not be as prominent in the game. Staying accurate to the original game with the design of the animatronics and creating practical versions instead of leaning into CG show how seriously the entire Five Nights At Freddy's has taken this adaptation. By celebrating what fans love and honoring the original property, Five Nights At Freddy's becomes a movie meant for people who are already excited to see it, as opposed to an adaptation with the sole purpose of drawing in people who don't care and forsaking those who have been passionate about the game from the beginning.
