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{{short description|Upcoming slasher film written by Tyler Burton Smith and directed by Lars Klevberg}} {{Short description|2019 horror film by Lars Klevberg}}
{{Infobox film {{Infobox film
| name = Child's Play | name = Child's Play
| image = Child's Play (2019 film).jpg | image = Child's Play (2019 film).jpg
| alt =
| caption = Theatrical release poster | caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Lars Klevberg | director = Lars Klevberg
| producer = {{ubl|David Katzenberg|]}} | producer = {{Plainlist|
* David Katzenberg
* ]
}}
| writer =
| screenplay = Tyler Burton Smith | screenplay = Tyler Burton Smith
| based on = {{based on|'']''|]}} | based_on = {{Based on|'']''|]|]|]}}
| starring = {{Plainlist| | starring = <!--PER POSTER BILLING.-->{{Plainlist|
* ] <!--PER POSTER BILLING.--> * ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
Line 16: Line 19:
}} }}
| music = ] | music = ]
| cinematography = Brendan Uegrama | cinematography = Brendan Uegama
| editing = Tom Elkins | editing = Tom Elkins
| studio = {{Plainlist| | studio = {{Plainlist|
* ] * ]
* ]
* ]
* ] * ]
* ]
}}
| distributor = {{Plainlist|
* ] (United States)
* ] (Canada)<ref>{{cite web|title=Catalogue - Elevation Pictures|website=]|access-date=7 August 2021|url=https://www.elevationpictures.com/catalogue}}</ref>
}}
| released = {{Film date|2019|6|19|Paris|2019|6|21|United States and Canada}}
| runtime = 90 minutes<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/childs-play-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zotk0njq |title=Child's Play |website=] |access-date=June 6, 2019}}</ref>
| country = {{Plainlist|
* United States
* Canada
}} }}
| distributor = ]
| released = {{Film date|2019|6|21|United States}}
| runtime = 90 minutes<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/childs-play-2019 |title=Child's Play |website=] |accessdate=June 6, 2019}}</ref>
| country = United States
| language = English | language = English
| budget = $10 million<ref name="BOM">{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl352749057/|title=Child's Play (2019)|website=]|access-date=August 9, 2019}}</ref>
| budget =
| gross = | gross = $44.9 million<ref name="BOM"/>
}} }}
'''''Child's Play''''' is a 2019 <!-- Do not change this to other subgenres like slasher or sci fi horror, discussed on talk page-->] directed by Lars Klevberg from a screenplay written by Tyler Burton Smith. Serving both as a ] of the ] and a ] of the ], the film stars ], ], ], and ] as the voice of ]. It follows a family terrorized by a high-tech doll that malfunctions and becomes subsequently hostile and murderous.


Plans for a ''Child's Play'' remake began in the early 2010s, with original Chucky voice actor ] set to reprise the role. However, it was turned down and the project entered ]. By 2018, ] announced a remake with a different creative team than the original film series. Klevberg signed on as director from a script by Burton Smith, saying in an interview he drew inspiration from the 1982 ], '']''. ] for the film began in September 2018 and wrapped in November in ], ].
'''''Child's Play''''' is an upcoming American ] directed by Lars Klevberg and written by Tyler Burton Smith. It serves as a ] and ] of the ], following a plot similar to the original film. It stars ], ], ], and ] as the voice of ].


''Child's Play'' premiered in Paris on June 18, 2019, before being theatrically released in the United States and Canada three days later by ] through ] and ] respectively. The film grossed $44.9 million worldwide against a $10 million budget and received mixed reviews from critics, with the Rotten Tomatoes' consensus calling it "predictably gruesome" and "generally entertaining".
The film was officially announced in July 2018, a modern version of ''Child's Play'' that was in development at ] without the involvement of franchise creator ] or ]. Lars Klevberg and writer Tyler Burton Smith signed on as director and screenwriter, respectively, alongside '']'' producers ] and David Katzenberg.


== Plot ==
The film is scheduled to be released in the United States on June 21, 2019, by ] through the ] joint-venture, making it the first ''Child's Play'' film since '']'' not to be produced or distributed by ].
Multinational Kaslan Corporation has just launched ''Buddi'', a revolutionary line of ] designed to be lifelong companions to their owners, learning from their surroundings, and acting accordingly via ]. It quickly becomes a worldwide success. At a Kaslan assembly factory in ], an overworked employee is verbally abused by his supervisor. In retaliation, he sabotages a ''Buddi'' doll by disabling all of its safety protocols before committing suicide.


In ], widowed retail clerk Karen Barclay and her twelve-year-old hearing-impaired son ] have moved into a new apartment. In an attempt to cheer Andy up about the relocation and the presence of her new boyfriend Shane, Karen blackmails her boss to procure a defective ''Buddi'' doll; it is revealed to be the tampered one. Once activated, the doll names himself "]" and becomes attached to Andy. Chucky helps him befriend two other children, Falyn and Pugg, but also begins to display violent tendencies.
==Premise==
{{Quote|A mother, Karen (]) gives her son, Andy (]) a toy doll for his birthday, unaware of its more sinister nature.|source=]}}


Chucky kills the Barclays' pet cat after it scratches Andy and then terrorizes Shane, which leads him to rudely confront Andy. Misunderstanding Andy's pleas for Shane to disappear, Chucky follows him to his home, where it is revealed that Shane is married with children. Chucky breaks Shane's legs and activates a ] that scalps and kills him. He delivers Shane's skinned face as a gift to a horrified Andy.
==Cast==
* ] as ], a lonely 13-year-old boy who comes into the possession of a murderous doll.
* ] as the voice of ], a murderous Buddi doll who attempts to kill the Barclays. In this version, Klevberg said the doll would be an "out-of-control robot doll" rather than a possessed doll by Charles Lee Ray in the ], a version of which was previously voiced by Hamill in an episode of '']''.
* ] as Karen Barclay, Andy’s mother.
* ] as Detective Mike Norris, a detective investigating a mysterious string of murders.
* ] as Henry Kaslan, founder and CEO of Kaslan Corp, the company that manufactures the Buddi doll.<ref name=teaser>{{cite web|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/childs-play-clip-buddi|title=New Child's Play Clip Promises that Buddi is 'More Than a Toy... He's Your Best Friend'|publisher=Syfy|accessdate=February 4, 2019}}</ref>
* Marlon Kazadi as Omar Norris, Andy's best friend and son of Mike Norris.
* Ty Consiglio as Pugg, Andy's friend.
* Beatrice Kitsos as Falyn, Andy's friend.
* Anantjot S. Aneja as Chris, Andy's friend.
* Nicole Anthony as Detective Willis, Norris' partner.
* Carlease Burke as Doreen
* Amber Taylor as Shane's Daughter
* Kenneth Tynan as Jonga Burger Dude
* Michael Bardach as Homeless Man
* JC Meredith as Cab Driver


As police detective Mike Norris begins an investigation, Andy, Falyn, and Pugg disable Chucky and throw him into the garbage. Voyeur electrician Gabe finds and fixes the doll, who then kills him with a ]. Meanwhile, Andy fails to convince Karen that the doll has become murderous. She takes him along to her job at the local shopping mall to keep an eye on him. When Chucky kills Norris' mother Doreen in a controlled car crash, Norris suspects that Andy is responsible for the murders and arrests him just as Chucky takes full control of the mall.
==Production==
In 2008, Don Mancini and ] spoke of a reboot of the franchise, which was originally going to be a "straightforward horror" written and directed by Mancini. Brad Dourif was expected return as the voice of Chucky.<ref name="AICN">{{cite web|url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/37997|title= Quint chats up Don Mancini, David Kirschner and Michelle Gold about the CHILD'S PLAY REMAKE and the new DVD!!!|publisher=]|date=August 19, 2008|accessdate=July 16, 2013}}</ref> In a subsequent interview, Mancini described the remake as a darker and scarier retelling of the ], but one that, while having new twists and turns, would not stray too far from the original concept.<ref name="STYD">{{cite web|url=http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=7637|title=''Child's Play''Mancini&Kirschner|date=September 8, 2008|work=ShockTillYouDrop.com|publisher=CraveOnline Media|accessdate=October 11, 2009}}</ref> At a 2009 horror convention, Dourif confirmed his role in the remake.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slashfilm.com/mgm-rolling-childs-play-remake/|title=MGM Gets Rolling On A 'Child's Play' Remake|date=25 March 2011|accessdate=25 March 2011}}</ref> The film was canceled after the negative reception of similar remakes such as '']'' and '']''.<ref name="MW">{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/childs-play-remake-universal-why-canceled/|title=Chucky Creator Explains Why Universal Cancelled Their Child's Play Remake|date=16 October 2018|accessdate=16 October 2018}}</ref>


Chaos is unleashed as employees and customers are brutally killed by rampaging ''Buddi'' dolls that Chucky has activated. Norris is wounded amid the massacre while Andy and his friends escape. However, Andy is forced to return when Chucky reveals that he is holding Karen hostage in the mall's storage. Andy saves his mother before Norris shoots Chucky down and Karen beheads him, both realizing Andy was telling the truth. As the police and paramedics tend to Karen, Norris, and other survivors outside the mall, Andy and his friends burn Chucky's body in a nearby alleyway.
On July 3, 2018, it was announced that a modern-day version of ''Child's Play'', a reboot, was in development at ], with a different creative team than the original film series. Lars Klevberg signed on as director, with a script by Tyler Burton Smith (of '']'' and '']'' fame, respectively). '']'' and '']'' collaborative team ] and David Katzenberg will serve as producers.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=July 3, 2018|title='Child's Play' Remake in the Works With 'Polaroid' Director|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/childs-play-remake-works-polaroid-director-1124856|website=hollywoodreporter.com|access-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Sneider|first=Jeff|date=July 3, 2018|title=‘Child’s Play’ Reboot In the Works at MGM From ‘It’ Producers|url=http://collider.com/childs-play-reboot-lars-klevberg-mgm-orion-it-producers|website=collider.com|access-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref>


In the aftermath of Chucky's killing spree, Kaslan CEO Henry Kaslan announces a massive ''Buddi'' dolls recall. As one of the dolls is placed into storage, his eyes flicker red and he smiles, revealing that Chucky transferred his ] into a new body.
In December 2018, in a guest appearance on the Post Mortem with ] Podcast, series creator/writer/director Mancini criticized the remake, remarking that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, as rights holder for the original film, can do what they please with the property. When asked if he and fellow franchise producer Kirschner would have any involvement, he said:
{{Quote|We said no thank you, because we have our ongoing thriving business with Chucky. Obviously my feelings were hurt... And I did create the character and nurture the franchise for three decades. So when someone says, Oh yeah, we would love to have your name on the film... it was hard not to feel like I was being patronized. They just wanted our approval. Which I strenuously denied them.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://postmortempodcast.libsyn.com/don-mancini|title=Post Mortem with Mick Garris: Don Mancini|website=postmortempodcast.libsyn.com}}</ref>}}


===Casting=== == Cast ==
{{castlist|
The same month that the project was announced, ] was revealed as having been considered for a role in the film.<ref>{{cite web|last=Burks|first=Robin|date=July 26, 2018|title=Child's Play Remake Reportedly Eyeing Liv Tyler For Lead Role|url=https://screenrant.com/childs-play-remake-movie-liv-tyler|website=screenrant.com|access-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref> In September 2018, ], ] and ] joined the cast.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sneider|first=Jeff|date=September 19, 2018|title=Exclusive: Aubrey Plaza, Brian Tyree Henry in Talks to Star in ‘Child’s Play’ Reboot|url=http://collider.com/aubrey-plaza-brian-tyree-henry-childs-play-reboot|website=collider.com|access-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=N'Duka|first=Amanda|date=September 20, 2018|title=Gabriel Bateman To Star As Andy In MGM’s ‘Child’s Play’ Remake, Joining Aubrey Plaza & Brian Tyree Henry|url=https://deadline.com/2018/09/gabriel-bateman-aubrey-plaza-brian-tyree-henry-childs-play-remake-mgm-1202468306|website=deadline.com|access-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref> In November 2018, Ty Consiglio and Beatrice Kitsos joined the cast.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1005271-kitsos-consiglio-childs-play-reboot|title=Beatrice Kitsos & Ty Consiglio Join MGM's Child's Play Reboot|date=2018-11-05|work=ComingSoon.net|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en-US}}</ref>
* ] as Karen Barclay
* ] as ]
* ] as Detective Mike Norris
* ] as the voice of ]
* ] as Henry Kaslan
* Beatrice Kitsos as Falyn
* Ty Consiglio as Pugg
* ] as Omar
* ] as Shane
* Carlease Burke as Doreen Norris
* Trent Redekop as Gabe
* Amro Majzoub as Wes
* Nicole Anthony as Detective Willis
* Phoenix Ly as Chien
}}


== Production ==
In March 2019, actor ] announced that he joined the cast to voice Chucky in the film. Grahame-Smith elaborated on Hamill's casting in an interview with '']'', saying:
In the early 2010s, before '']'' started its development, a planned remake for the original 1988 '']'' was announced, with ] set to reprise his role as ]. There is not much information about the remake, but it was subsequently cancelled. ] announced the development of a ''Child's Play'' remake in July 2018, with a different creative team than the ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=July 3, 2018|title='Child's Play' Remake in the Works With 'Polaroid' Director|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/childs-play-remake-works-polaroid-director-1124856|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref>


'']'' director Lars Klevberg signed on, with a script by Tyler Burton Smith, following his work in '']''. '']'' and '']'' collaborative team ] and David Katzenberg served as producers.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sneider|first=Jeff|date=July 3, 2018|title=''Child's Play'' Reboot In the Works at MGM From ''It'' Producers|url=https://collider.com/childs-play-reboot-lars-klevberg-mgm-orion-it-producers/|website=collider.com|access-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref> ], ], and ] were announced to star in September,<ref>{{cite web|last=Sneider|first=Jeff|date=September 19, 2018|title=Exclusive: Aubrey Plaza, Brian Tyree Henry in Talks to Star in 'Child's Play' Reboot|url=https://collider.com/aubrey-plaza-brian-tyree-henry-childs-play-reboot/|access-date=October 4, 2018|website=collider.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=N'Duka|first=Amanda|date=September 20, 2018|title=Gabriel Bateman To Star As Andy In MGM's 'Child's Play' Remake, Joining Aubrey Plaza & Brian Tyree Henry|url=https://deadline.com/2018/09/gabriel-bateman-aubrey-plaza-brian-tyree-henry-childs-play-remake-mgm-1202468306|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921034501/https://deadline.com/2018/09/gabriel-bateman-aubrey-plaza-brian-tyree-henry-childs-play-remake-mgm-1202468306/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 21, 2018|access-date=October 4, 2018|website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> followed by Ty Consiglio and Beatrice Kitsos in November.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2018-11-05|title=Beatrice Kitsos & Ty Consiglio Join MGM's Child's Play Reboot|language=en-US|work=ComingSoon.net|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1005271-kitsos-consiglio-childs-play-reboot|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref> ] was cast to voice Chucky, replacing Dourif.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-03-31|title=Mark Hamill Is Voicing Chucky In Child's Play, And His Announcement Was Perfect|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2469182/mark-hamill-is-voicing-chucky-in-childs-play-and-his-announcement-was-perfect|access-date=2020-09-17|website=Cinema Blend}}</ref> Grahame-Smith elaborated on Hamill's casting in an interview with '']'':
{{Quote|We asked, thinking there was no way it would ever happen, and he said, 'Yes.' He was the first choice, a big swing, and it just happened. I mean, first of all, to have an icon reimagining an iconic character is an incredible gift, and to have an actor and a voice performer who is as celebrated as Mark Hamill, and as gifted as he is, I mean it's incredible. He's taking on this challenge with a huge amount of energy and really come at it in a very serious way. And it's really something to watch him create a character, and sort of embody it, and I get to sit there and watch Mark Hamill record. It's just incredible.<ref>{{cite web|last=Collins|first=Clark|title=Mark Hamill was 'first choice' to voice Chucky in Child's Play remake|url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/03/31/mark-hamill-chucky-childs-play/|publisher=]|date=March 31, 2019|accessdate=April 1, 2019}}</ref>}}
{{Blockquote|We asked, thinking there was no way it would ever happen, and he said, 'Yes'. He was the first choice, a big swing, and it just happened... I mean, first of all, to have an icon reimagining an iconic character is an incredible gift, and to have an actor and a voice performer who is as celebrated as Mark Hamill, and as gifted as he is, I mean it's incredible. He's taking on this challenge with a huge amount of energy and really come at it in a very serious way. And it's really something to watch him create a character, and sort of embody it, and I get to sit there and watch Mark Hamill record. It's just incredible.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Collis|first=Clark|title=Mark Hamill was 'first choice' to voice Chucky in Child's Play remake|url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/03/31/mark-hamill-chucky-childs-play/|magazine=]|date=March 31, 2019|access-date=April 1, 2019}}</ref>}} ] began on September 17 and wrapped on November 8, 2018, in ], Canada.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gittins|first=Susan|date=November 9, 2018|title=BIG MOVIE: Lars Klevberg's CHILD'S PLAY Reboot Wraps Filming in Vancouver|url=https://movies-review143.blogspot.com/2020/02/mulan-live-action-cast.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213072341/https://movies-review143.blogspot.com/2020/02/mulan-live-action-cast.html|archive-date=February 13, 2020|access-date=February 11, 2020|website=movies-review143.blogspot.com}}</ref> Reshoots occurred on December 15–16 and in April 2019.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gittins|first=Susan|date=December 13, 2018|title=RESHOOTS: Lars Klevberg's CHILD'S PLAY Back For Reshoots in Vancouver on December 15th & 16th.|url=https://hollywoodnorthbuzz.com/2018/12/reshoots-lars-klevbergs-childs-play-back-for-reshoots-in-vancouver-on-december-15th-16th.html|access-date=August 13, 2024|website=hollywoodnorth.buzz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite instagram|first=Gabriel |last=Michael Bateman |date=2019-04-13 |title=It's been a solid week.💚 #childsplay |postid=BwNRrdiFp2e |user=gabrielmichaelbateman |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BwNRrdiFp2e |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited}}</ref> MastersFX, a visual effects company, took six weeks to prepare and assemble seven practical animatronic puppets, each with interchangeable arms and heads that performed a variety of required actions on set,<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Collis|first1=Clark|date=December 19, 2018|title='Child's Play' remake teased with behind-the-scenes photo of new Chucky|language=en|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|url=https://ew.com/movies/2018/12/19/childs-play-remake-chucky/|access-date=February 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328192502/https://ew.com/movies/2018/12/19/childs-play-remake-chucky/|archive-date=March 28, 2019}}</ref> with some help from ], who provided the CGI for the film.<ref>{{cite web|title=CHILD'S PLAY - The Art of VFX|url=https://www.artofvfx.com/childs-play/|access-date=April 22, 2019|website=artofvfx.com|date=19 April 2019 }}</ref> ] composed the score through a "toy orchestra" inspired by "Chucky's toy-store origins" with ]s, ], ]s, plastic guitars and ]s.<ref>{{cite web|last=Evangelista|first=Chris|date=April 10, 2019|title='Child's Play' Remake Score Will Be Composed by Bear McCreary Using a 'Toy Orchestra'|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/childs-play-remake-score/|access-date=April 1, 2019|website=]}}</ref> The soundtrack was released by ] on vinyl which featured liner notes by the composer.<ref>{{cite web|author=Gervais, Jay|date=24 June 2019|title=Bear McCreary's Child's Play Score is Headed to Vinyl|url=https://deadentertainment.com/2019/06/24/bear-mccrearys-childs-play-score-is-headed-to-vinyl/|access-date=11 August 2020|website=Dead Entertainment}}</ref>


===Filming=== == Marketing ==
The first official image of ] was released on September 29, 2018.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Collis|first=Clark|date=September 21, 2018|title=See the first look photo of new Chucky in Child's Play remake|url=https://ew.com/movies/2018/09/21/chucky-childs-play-remake/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref> The teaser poster was released on November 12, revealing that for the film's adaptation the ''Good Guys'' dolls would be called ''Buddy'' referencing the ] doll that influenced the original character's design.<ref name=sr>{{cite news|url=https://screenrant.com/childs-play-reboot-release-date-poster-2019/ |title=Child's Play Reboot Gets Summer 2019 Release Date & Poster |website=ScreenRant.com |date=2018-11-12 |access-date=2019-02-14}}</ref> A ] symbol over the "i" in "Buddi" teases the character's ] functions, being similar to robot toys, such as ] and ].<ref>{{cite news|last=Santangelo |first=Nick |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/11/12/childs-play-new-poster-release-date-revealed-for-chucky-reboot |title=Child's Play: New Poster, Release Date Revealed for Chucky Reboot |website=IGN |date=2018-11-12 |access-date=2019-02-14}}</ref> ] launched a ] website for the fictional Kaslan Corporation, ahead of the film's release.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbr.com/childs-play-buddi-doll-website/ |title=Child's Play Reboot Website Gives Chucky Some Modern Upgrades |website=Cbr.com |date=2018-11-26 |access-date=2019-02-14}}</ref> The first trailer premiered on February 8, 2019, with the release of '']''.<ref name="teaser2">{{cite web|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/childs-play-clip-buddi|title=New Child's Play Clip Promises that Buddi is 'More Than a Toy... He's Your Best Friend'|date=4 February 2019 |website=Syfy|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref>
Principal photography began on September 17 and wrapped on November 8, 2018, in ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Gittins|first=Susan|date=November 9, 2018|title=BIG MOVIE: Lars Klevberg’s CHILD’S PLAY Reboot Wraps Filming in Vancouver|url=http://www.hollywoodnorth.buzz/2018/11/big-movie-lars-klevbergs-childs-play-reboot-wraps-filming-in-vancouver.html|website=hollywoodnorth.buzz|access-date=April 14, 2019}}</ref> Reshoots occurred on December 15-16 and in April 2019.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gittins|first=Susan|date=December 13, 2018|title=RESHOOTS: Lars Klevberg’s CHILD’S PLAY Back For Reshoots in Vancouver on December 15th & 16th.|url=http://hollywoodnorth.buzz/2018/12/reshoots-lars-klevbergs-childs-play-back-for-reshoots-in-vancouver-on-december-15th-16th.html|website=hollywoodnorth.buzz|access-date=April 14, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BwNRrdiFp2e/|title=Gabriel Michael Bateman on Instagram: “It’s been a solid week.💚 #childsplay”|website=Instagram}}</ref>


The film's theatrical poster and a second trailer were released in April 2019.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1118140761504145409|title=Meet the new CHUCKY. Full trailer coming Thursday. #ChildsPlayMovie pic.twitter.com/m2Jivm3FxW|user=ChildsPlayMovie|date=April 16, 2019}}</ref> A behind-the-scenes video was uploaded to Orion Pictures' YouTube channel on May 16, which shows how Chucky was brought to life for the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydKlA11kLB8|title=CHILD'S PLAY - Behind the Scenes: "Bringing Chucky to Life"|date=May 16, 2019|via=YouTube|publisher=Orion Pictures|access-date=May 21, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/childs-play-chucky-creation-video/|title=Child's Play BTS Video Shows How the New Chucky Was Created|first=Christopher|last=Fiduccia|date=May 18, 2019|website=ScreenRant|access-date=May 21, 2019}}</ref> Beginning in April, several posters alluding to '']'' were released, featuring Chucky brutally killing characters of the ], using the ''Toy Story 4'''s teaser posters' background. Both films had June 21, 2019 releases.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3558717/new-childs-play-poster-little-fun-shared-toy-story-4-release-date/|title=New 'Child's Play' Poster Has a Little Fun With the Shared 'Toy Story 4' Release Date|first=John|last=Squires|date=April 30, 2019|work=Bloody Disgusting|access-date=May 2, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/new-childs-play-poster-trolls-upcoming-toy-story-4-movie|title=New 'Child's Play' poster trolls upcoming 'Toy Story 4' movie|first=Kathleen|last=Joyce|date=May 1, 2019|publisher=Fox News Channel|access-date=May 2, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/movies/childs-play-chucky-leaves-toy-story-4-woody-bloody-new-poster/|title=Child's Play Trolls Toy Story 4 with Bloody New Poster|first=Ale|last=Russian|date=May 1, 2019|work=People|access-date=May 2, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/05/21/childs-play-toy-story-chucky/|title=Chucky barbecues a beloved Toy Story character in new Child's Play image|first=Clark|last=Collis|date=May 21, 2019|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=May 21, 2019|archive-date=May 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527191150/https://ew.com/movies/2019/05/21/childs-play-toy-story-chucky/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On June 24, a poster was unveiled to coincide with the release of '']'', featuring Chucky killing the ] doll.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3568979/doll-wars-new-childs-play-poster-takes-shot-annabelle-comes-home/ |title=Doll Wars: New 'Child's Play' Poster Takes a Stab at 'Annabelle Comes Home' |first=John |last=Squires |website=] |date=June 24, 2019 |access-date=June 25, 2019}}</ref>
===Visual effects===
MastersFX, a visual effects company, took six weeks to prepare and assemble seven practical animatronic puppets, each with interchangeable arms and heads that performed a variety of required actions on set.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Collis, 2018 |first1=Clark |title='Child's Play' remake teased with behind-the-scenes photo of new Chucky |url=https://ew.com/movies/2018/12/19/childs-play-remake-chucky/ |accessdate=February 14, 2019 |work=Entertainment Weekly |date=December 19, 2018 |language=en}}</ref> With some help from ], who will be providing the CGI for the film.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 22, 2019|title=CHILD'S PLAY - The Art of VFX|url=https://www.artofvfx.com/childs-play/|website=www.artofvfx.com}}</ref>


===Music=== == Release ==
=== Theatrical ===
On April 10, 2019, it was announced that ] would be composing the score.<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=bearmccreary |author=Bear McCreary |number=1116011865014816768 |date = 10 April 2019 |title=A sneak peek inside the lab, where I'm creating my latest musical monstrosity. Coming to theaters this June. #YourBestFriend }}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |user=ChildsPlayMovie |author=Child's Play Movie |number=1116015560280535041 |date = 10 April 2019 |title=Chucky has a new best friend. The award-winning composer of #TheWalkingDead and #GodofWar, @BearMcCreary is the official composer of Child’s Play! Catch this sneak peek of the terrifying score, and don’t miss #ChildsPlayMovie in theaters June 21st. 🔪 }}</ref> In a statement, McCreary revealed that he was partially creating the film's music through a "toy orchestra" inspired by "Chucky’s toy-store origins" with ], ], ], plastic guitars and ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Evangelista|first=Chris|title=‘Child’s Play’ Remake Score Will Be Composed by Bear McCreary Using a ‘Toy Orchestra’|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/childs-play-remake-score/|publisher=]|date=April 10, 2019|accessdate=April 1, 2019}}</ref>
The film was released in the United States on June 21, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Child's Play teaser: 'I think Chucky did something...' |url=https://www.full2info.com/2019/04/childs-play-teaser-i-think-chucky-did.html |website=FULLINFORMATION |access-date=17 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418194222/https://www.full2info.com/2019/04/childs-play-teaser-i-think-chucky-did.html |archive-date=18 April 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=sr/> It is the first film from Orion Pictures to be released through ].<ref name="bizjournals1">{{cite news |last1=Ellingson |first1=Annlee |title=MGM, Annapurna revive United Artists for joint distribution venture |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2019/02/05/mgm-annapurna-revive-united-artists.html |access-date=February 14, 2019 |work=L.A. Biz |publisher=American City Business Journals |date=February 5, 2019}}</ref>


==Marketing== === Home media ===
The film was released digitally on September 10, and on ] and DVD on September 24 by ].<ref>{{cite web |title='Child's Play' Remake Brings Your New Best Buddi Home in September |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/home-video/3578300/childs-play-remake-brings-new-best-buddi-home-september |website=Bloody Disgusting |date=13 August 2019 |access-date=August 13, 2019}}</ref>
The first official image of ] was released on September 21, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|last=Collis|first=Clark|date=September 21, 2018|title=See the first look photo of new Chucky in Child's Play remake|url=https://ew.com/movies/2018/09/21/chucky-childs-play-remake/|website=ew.com|access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref> The teaser poster was released on November 12, 2018, revealing that for the film's adaptation the Good Guys dolls will be called Buddi, referencing the ] doll that influenced the character's original design.<ref name=sr>{{cite news|url=https://screenrant.com/childs-play-reboot-release-date-poster-2019/ |title=Child's Play Reboot Gets Summer 2019 Release Date & Poster |publisher=Screenrant.com |date=2018-11-12 |accessdate=2019-02-14}}</ref> A ] symbol over the "i" in "Buddi" teases the character's ] functions in the film, being similar to robot toys, such as ] and ].<ref>{{cite news|last=Santangelo |first=Nick |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/11/12/childs-play-new-poster-release-date-revealed-for-chucky-reboot |title=Child's Play: New Poster, Release Date Revealed for Chucky Reboot |publisher=IGN |date=2018-11-12 |accessdate=2019-02-14}}</ref> ] launched a ] website, for the fictional Kaslan Corp, ahead of the film's release.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbr.com/childs-play-buddi-doll-website/ |title=Child's Play Reboot Website Gives Chucky Some Modern Upgrades |publisher=Cbr.com |date=2018-11-26 |accessdate=2019-02-14}}</ref> The first trailer was released on February 8, 2019 to coincide with the release of '']''.<ref name=teaser/>


== Reception ==
The film's theatrical poster was released on April 17, 2019 and the second trailer on April 18, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/ChildsPlayMovie/status/1118140761504145409|title=Meet the new CHUCKY. Full trailer coming Thursday. #ChildsPlayMovie pic.twitter.com/m2Jivm3FxW|first=Child's Play|last=Movie|date=April 16, 2019}}</ref> On April 30, 2019, a poster was revealed that parodies the teaser poster for '']'', featuring Chucky with a bloodied shoe, walking away from the remains of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/movies/childs-play-chucky-leaves-toy-story-4-woody-bloody-new-poster/|title=Child's Play Trolls Toy Story 4 with Bloody New Poster|author=Ale Russian|date=May 1, 2019|work=People|access-date=May 2, 2019}}</ref> This was followed by a second poster revealed on May 21, 2019, in which Chucky's hand is shown roasting the back half of ] over a fire.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/05/21/childs-play-toy-story-chucky/|title=Chucky barbecues a beloved Toy Story character in new Child's Play image|author=Clark Collis|date=May 21, 2019|work=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=May 21, 2019}}</ref> On June 6, 2019, a third poster was released showing Chucky's hands holding a blaster, having blasted ]. Both films are slated for release on June 21, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3558717/new-childs-play-poster-little-fun-shared-toy-story-4-release-date/|title=New ‘Child’s Play’ Poster Has a Little Fun With the Shared ‘Toy Story 4’ Release Date|author=John Squires|date=April 30, 2019|work=Bloody Disgusting|access-date=May 2, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/new-childs-play-poster-trolls-upcoming-toy-story-4-movie|title=New ‘Child’s Play’ poster trolls upcoming ‘Toy Story 4’ movie|author=Kathleen Joyce|date=May 1, 2019|work=Fox News|access-date=May 2, 2019}}</ref> On May 16, 2019, a behind-the-scenes video was uploaded to Orion Pictures' ] channel, which shows how Chucky was brought to life for the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydKlA11kLB8|title=CHILD'S PLAY - Behind the Scenes: "Bringing Chucky to Life"|date=May 16, 2019|publisher=Orion Pictures|website=YouTube|access-date=May 21, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/childs-play-chucky-creation-video/|title=Child’s Play BTS Video Shows How the New Chucky Was Created|author=Christopher Fiduccia|date=May 18, 2019|website=ScreenRant|access-date=May 21, 2019}}</ref>
=== Box office ===
''Child's Play'' grossed $29.2 million in the United States and Canada, and $15.8 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $44.9 million, against a production budget of $10 million.<ref name="BOM"/>


In the United States and Canada, ''Child's Play'' was released alongside '']'' and '']'', and was projected to gross $16–18 million from 3,007 theaters in its opening weekend.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/06/toy-story-4-will-cure-summer-sequelitis-with-260m-global-infinity-and-beyond-1202634412/|title='Toy Story 4' Will Cure Summer Sequelitis With $260M Global Infinity-And-Beyond Bow|website=]|first1=Anthony |last1=D'Alessandro|first2=Nancy|last2=Tartaglione|date=June 18, 2019|access-date=June 18, 2019}}</ref> It made $6.1 million on its first day, including $1.65 million from Thursday night previews. It went on to debut to $14.1 million, and finished second, behind ''Toy Story 4''.<ref name=opening>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/06/toy-story-4-opening-weekend-box-office-childs-play-1202635964/|title='Toy Story 4' Eyeing 3rd Best Animated Pic Opening Of All-Time With $123M+, But Did Disney Leave Money On The Table?|website=]|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=June 23, 2019|access-date=June 23, 2019}}</ref> The film dropped 68.6% in its second weekend to $4.4 million, falling to eighth.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/06/toy-story-4-yesterday-annabelle-comes-home-weekend-box-office-1202639398/ |title='Toy Story 4' Holds Down No. 1 With $58M+ Before 'Spider-Man' Swoops In, 'Annabelle 3' Stabs 31M+ 5-Day, 'Yesterday' $17M+ – Sunday Update|last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |website=] |date=June 30, 2019 |access-date=July 2, 2019}}</ref>
==Release==
The film is scheduled to be released in the United States on June 21, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Child's Play teaser: 'I think Chucky did something...' |url=https://www.full2info.com/2019/04/childs-play-teaser-i-think-chucky-did.html |website=FULLINFORMATION |accessdate=17 April 2019}}</ref><ref name=sr/> It will be the first film from Orion Pictures to be released through ].<ref name="bizjournals1">{{cite news |last1=Ellingson |first1=Annlee |title=MGM, Annapurna revive United Artists for joint distribution venture |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2019/02/05/mgm-annapurna-revive-united-artists.html |accessdate=February 14, 2019 |work=L.A. Biz |publisher=American City Business Journals |date=February 5, 2019}}</ref>


=== Critical response ===
==Future==
On review aggregator ], the film holds an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on 206 reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critical consensus reads: "''Child's Play'' updates an '80s horror icon for the ] era, with predictably gruesome – and generally entertaining – results."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/childs_play_2019|title=Child's Play (2019)|website=]|date=21 June 2019 |publisher=]|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}</ref> ], which uses a ], assigned the film a score of 48 out of 100, based on 35 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/childs-play-2019|title=Child's Play (2019) Reviews|publisher=]|access-date=July 7, 2019}}</ref> Audiences polled by ] gave the film an average grade of "C+" on an A+ to F scale, tied with '']'' for the lowest score of the series.<ref name="opening" />
At WonderCon, Grahame-Smith said that if this film does well, they would love to make more sequels.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3553691/wondercon-2019-childs-play-panel-opens-toy-chest-big-reveals-intriguing-new-questions/|title= ‘Child’s Play’ Panel Opens the Toy Chest with Big Reveals and Some Intriguing New Questions|first=Matt|last=Konopka|date=April 1, 2019}}</ref>


Nick Allen of '']'' gave the film three out of four stars, calling it "nastier, more playful, and just as good if not better than the original film."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/childs-play-2019|title=Child's Play Movie Review & Film Summary (2019)|last=Allen|first=Nick|website=]|language=en|date=June 20, 2019|access-date=June 21, 2019}}</ref> Peter Bradshaw from '']'' gave the film a positive review, with 4/5 stars, calling it a "razor-sharp and exquisitely gruesome toy story".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/jun/20/childs-play-review|title=Child's Play review – a razor-sharp and exquisitely gruesome toy story|first=Peter|last=Bradshaw|date=June 20, 2019|work=The Guardian}}</ref> Jeremy Dick from ] also liked the film, writing "''Child's Play'' is the lowest horror movie remake and should now serve as a prime example of what others should do. It's highly entertaining and tons of fun, and I say that as a huge fan of the original."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/childs-play-2019-why-perfect-horror-movie-remake/|title=Why 'Child's Play' Is the worst Horror Movie Remake|date=June 24, 2019|website=Movieweb}}</ref>
==References==

] of '']'' gave the film 2 out of 5 stars, writing, "MIA is the original's perverse originality... in a misguided satire of the digital era and ] consumerism".<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/childs-play-movie-reboot-aubrey-plaza-850750/|title='Child's Play': Even Aubrey Plaza Can't Save This Botched Reboot|last=Travers|first=Peter|author-link=Peter Travers|date=June 21, 2019|magazine=]|access-date=June 23, 2019}}</ref> '']''{{'}}s Peter Debruge was also negative, stating, "This is the new normal for horror movies: The screenplays have to seem hipper than the premise they represent, which puts ''Child's Play'' in the weird position of pointing out and poking fun at all the ways it fails to make sense."<ref name="variety">{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/childs-play-review-1203248744/|title=Film Review: 'Child's Play'|last=Debruge|first=Peter|date=June 20, 2019|work=]|access-date=June 23, 2019}}</ref>

== Possible sequel ==
At ], Grahame-Smith said that if the film does well, they would love to make a sequel.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Konopka|first=Matt|date=April 1, 2019|title= 'Child's Play' Panel Opens the Toy Chest with Big Reveals and Some Intriguing New Questions|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3553691/wondercon-2019-childs-play-panel-opens-toy-chest-big-reveals-intriguing-new-questions/|website=]}}</ref> Director Lars Klevberg discussed his ideas for a possible sequel.

{{blockquote|"For me, this was just trying to make this the best movie possible. Like, never foreshadowing any detailed plan of where you want to go as a franchise. But yeah, for me I think I love the ''Buddi'' bear concept".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://movieweb.com/childs-play-2-remake-sequel-buddi-bears-story/|title=Child's Play Remake Director Talks Possible Sequel Storyline|first=Kevin|last=Burwick|date=June 23, 2019|website=MovieWeb}}</ref>}}

In July 2020, Klevberg said he would love to make a sequel, but due to Don Mancini creating the '']'' television series, it was unlikely.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/childs-play-2-reboot-sequel-lars-klevberg-update/ |title='Childs Play 2' Reboot Sequel Lars Klevberg Update |website=] |first=Christopher |last=Fiduccia |date=August 2, 2020 |access-date=May 20, 2021}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}


==External links== == External links ==
* {{IMDb title|8663516}}
*
* at the ]


{{Child's Play}} {{Child's Play}}


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Revision as of 19:11, 21 December 2024

2019 horror film by Lars Klevberg
Child's Play
Theatrical release poster
Directed byLars Klevberg
Screenplay byTyler Burton Smith
Based onChild's Play
by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyBrendan Uegama
Edited byTom Elkins
Music byBear McCreary
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • June 19, 2019 (2019-06-19) (Paris)
  • June 21, 2019 (2019-06-21) (United States and Canada)
Running time90 minutes
Countries
  • United States
  • Canada
LanguageEnglish
Budget$10 million
Box office$44.9 million

Child's Play is a 2019 horror film directed by Lars Klevberg from a screenplay written by Tyler Burton Smith. Serving both as a remake of the 1988 eponymous film and a reboot of the Child's Play franchise, the film stars Aubrey Plaza, Gabriel Bateman, Brian Tyree Henry, and Mark Hamill as the voice of Chucky. It follows a family terrorized by a high-tech doll that malfunctions and becomes subsequently hostile and murderous.

Plans for a Child's Play remake began in the early 2010s, with original Chucky voice actor Brad Dourif set to reprise the role. However, it was turned down and the project entered development hell. By 2018, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer announced a remake with a different creative team than the original film series. Klevberg signed on as director from a script by Burton Smith, saying in an interview he drew inspiration from the 1982 science fiction film, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Principal photography for the film began in September 2018 and wrapped in November in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Child's Play premiered in Paris on June 18, 2019, before being theatrically released in the United States and Canada three days later by Orion Pictures through United Artists Releasing and Elevation Pictures respectively. The film grossed $44.9 million worldwide against a $10 million budget and received mixed reviews from critics, with the Rotten Tomatoes' consensus calling it "predictably gruesome" and "generally entertaining".

Plot

Multinational Kaslan Corporation has just launched Buddi, a revolutionary line of high-tech dolls designed to be lifelong companions to their owners, learning from their surroundings, and acting accordingly via artificial intelligence. It quickly becomes a worldwide success. At a Kaslan assembly factory in Vietnam, an overworked employee is verbally abused by his supervisor. In retaliation, he sabotages a Buddi doll by disabling all of its safety protocols before committing suicide.

In Chicago, widowed retail clerk Karen Barclay and her twelve-year-old hearing-impaired son Andy have moved into a new apartment. In an attempt to cheer Andy up about the relocation and the presence of her new boyfriend Shane, Karen blackmails her boss to procure a defective Buddi doll; it is revealed to be the tampered one. Once activated, the doll names himself "Chucky" and becomes attached to Andy. Chucky helps him befriend two other children, Falyn and Pugg, but also begins to display violent tendencies.

Chucky kills the Barclays' pet cat after it scratches Andy and then terrorizes Shane, which leads him to rudely confront Andy. Misunderstanding Andy's pleas for Shane to disappear, Chucky follows him to his home, where it is revealed that Shane is married with children. Chucky breaks Shane's legs and activates a cultivator that scalps and kills him. He delivers Shane's skinned face as a gift to a horrified Andy.

As police detective Mike Norris begins an investigation, Andy, Falyn, and Pugg disable Chucky and throw him into the garbage. Voyeur electrician Gabe finds and fixes the doll, who then kills him with a table saw. Meanwhile, Andy fails to convince Karen that the doll has become murderous. She takes him along to her job at the local shopping mall to keep an eye on him. When Chucky kills Norris' mother Doreen in a controlled car crash, Norris suspects that Andy is responsible for the murders and arrests him just as Chucky takes full control of the mall.

Chaos is unleashed as employees and customers are brutally killed by rampaging Buddi dolls that Chucky has activated. Norris is wounded amid the massacre while Andy and his friends escape. However, Andy is forced to return when Chucky reveals that he is holding Karen hostage in the mall's storage. Andy saves his mother before Norris shoots Chucky down and Karen beheads him, both realizing Andy was telling the truth. As the police and paramedics tend to Karen, Norris, and other survivors outside the mall, Andy and his friends burn Chucky's body in a nearby alleyway.

In the aftermath of Chucky's killing spree, Kaslan CEO Henry Kaslan announces a massive Buddi dolls recall. As one of the dolls is placed into storage, his eyes flicker red and he smiles, revealing that Chucky transferred his artificial intelligence into a new body.

Cast

Production

In the early 2010s, before Curse of Chucky started its development, a planned remake for the original 1988 Child's Play was announced, with Brad Dourif set to reprise his role as Chucky. There is not much information about the remake, but it was subsequently cancelled. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer announced the development of a Child's Play remake in July 2018, with a different creative team than the original film series.

Polaroid director Lars Klevberg signed on, with a script by Tyler Burton Smith, following his work in Quantum Break. It and It Chapter Two collaborative team Seth Grahame-Smith and David Katzenberg served as producers. Gabriel Bateman, Aubrey Plaza, and Brian Tyree Henry were announced to star in September, followed by Ty Consiglio and Beatrice Kitsos in November. Mark Hamill was cast to voice Chucky, replacing Dourif. Grahame-Smith elaborated on Hamill's casting in an interview with Entertainment Weekly:

We asked, thinking there was no way it would ever happen, and he said, 'Yes'. He was the first choice, a big swing, and it just happened... I mean, first of all, to have an icon reimagining an iconic character is an incredible gift, and to have an actor and a voice performer who is as celebrated as Mark Hamill, and as gifted as he is, I mean it's incredible. He's taking on this challenge with a huge amount of energy and really come at it in a very serious way. And it's really something to watch him create a character, and sort of embody it, and I get to sit there and watch Mark Hamill record. It's just incredible.

Principal photography began on September 17 and wrapped on November 8, 2018, in Vancouver, Canada. Reshoots occurred on December 15–16 and in April 2019. MastersFX, a visual effects company, took six weeks to prepare and assemble seven practical animatronic puppets, each with interchangeable arms and heads that performed a variety of required actions on set, with some help from Pixomondo, who provided the CGI for the film. Bear McCreary composed the score through a "toy orchestra" inspired by "Chucky's toy-store origins" with toy pianos, hurdy-gurdies, accordions, plastic guitars and otamatones. The soundtrack was released by Waxwork Records on vinyl which featured liner notes by the composer.

Marketing

The first official image of Chucky was released on September 29, 2018. The teaser poster was released on November 12, revealing that for the film's adaptation the Good Guys dolls would be called Buddy referencing the My Buddy doll that influenced the original character's design. A WiFi symbol over the "i" in "Buddi" teases the character's hi-tech functions, being similar to robot toys, such as Furby and RoboSapien. Orion Pictures launched a marketing website for the fictional Kaslan Corporation, ahead of the film's release. The first trailer premiered on February 8, 2019, with the release of The Prodigy.

The film's theatrical poster and a second trailer were released in April 2019. A behind-the-scenes video was uploaded to Orion Pictures' YouTube channel on May 16, which shows how Chucky was brought to life for the film. Beginning in April, several posters alluding to Toy Story 4 were released, featuring Chucky brutally killing characters of the animated franchise, using the Toy Story 4's teaser posters' background. Both films had June 21, 2019 releases. On June 24, a poster was unveiled to coincide with the release of Annabelle Comes Home, featuring Chucky killing the Annabelle doll.

Release

Theatrical

The film was released in the United States on June 21, 2019. It is the first film from Orion Pictures to be released through United Artists Releasing.

Home media

The film was released digitally on September 10, and on Blu-ray and DVD on September 24 by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Reception

Box office

Child's Play grossed $29.2 million in the United States and Canada, and $15.8 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $44.9 million, against a production budget of $10 million.

In the United States and Canada, Child's Play was released alongside Toy Story 4 and Anna, and was projected to gross $16–18 million from 3,007 theaters in its opening weekend. It made $6.1 million on its first day, including $1.65 million from Thursday night previews. It went on to debut to $14.1 million, and finished second, behind Toy Story 4. The film dropped 68.6% in its second weekend to $4.4 million, falling to eighth.

Critical response

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 64% based on 206 reviews, with an average rating of 5.8/10. The site's critical consensus reads: "Child's Play updates an '80s horror icon for the Internet of Things era, with predictably gruesome – and generally entertaining – results." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 48 out of 100, based on 35 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "C+" on an A+ to F scale, tied with Seed of Chucky for the lowest score of the series.

Nick Allen of RogerEbert.com gave the film three out of four stars, calling it "nastier, more playful, and just as good if not better than the original film." Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian gave the film a positive review, with 4/5 stars, calling it a "razor-sharp and exquisitely gruesome toy story". Jeremy Dick from MovieWeb also liked the film, writing "Child's Play is the lowest horror movie remake and should now serve as a prime example of what others should do. It's highly entertaining and tons of fun, and I say that as a huge fan of the original."

Peter Travers of Rolling Stone gave the film 2 out of 5 stars, writing, "MIA is the original's perverse originality... in a misguided satire of the digital era and millennial consumerism". Variety's Peter Debruge was also negative, stating, "This is the new normal for horror movies: The screenplays have to seem hipper than the premise they represent, which puts Child's Play in the weird position of pointing out and poking fun at all the ways it fails to make sense."

Possible sequel

At WonderCon, Grahame-Smith said that if the film does well, they would love to make a sequel. Director Lars Klevberg discussed his ideas for a possible sequel.

"For me, this was just trying to make this the best movie possible. Like, never foreshadowing any detailed plan of where you want to go as a franchise. But yeah, for me I think I love the Buddi bear concept".

In July 2020, Klevberg said he would love to make a sequel, but due to Don Mancini creating the Chucky television series, it was unlikely.

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External links

Child's Play / Chucky
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