Re-imaginations in adaptations have made the cinematic world ever more enchanting. Of late, if something brings more potential to a box office entry besides star-studded collaborations, it is a crossover. With the Halloween week on its toes, and with the year-ending resetting of the clock on the cinematic slate for the upcoming, Carlo Collodi’s The Adventures of Pinocchio is undergoing a horror retelling with Pinocchio: Unstrung. And hot on the heels of the Halloween feels, the flick unveiled a first look at Pinocchio in Winnie the Pooh Universe, leaving fans in a major horror frenzy. 

A chilling reveal on X has summoned the first glimpse of the animatronic terror haunting Pinocchio: Unstrung, an unsettling addition to the Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey universe. Pinocchio appears twisted and bark-encrusted, an abomination of wood and nightmare come to life as the animatronic jerks and shudders, oozing horror in the sinister snippet. Though the week was already steeped in dread, fans now find themselves on edge, their anticipation twisted and doubled.

This spine-crawling preview trails Variety’s exclusive unveiling of the actual Pinocchio doll, a disturbing creation by Emmy-winner Todd Masters, known for crafting spine-chilling visuals in Child’s Play and Tales From the Crypt: Demon Knight. For those not in the know, the duo behind Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey, Rhys Frake-Waterfield and Scott Jeffrey have shouldered the directorial and production responsibilities under their horror banner Jagged Edge Productions. 

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Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio explored the darker elements of the character but a horror-centric Pinocchio in Unstrung has tugged the spooky heartstrings of fans like never before. 

In recent years, Hollywood has flashed its monstrous green light, unleashing productions with terrifyingly large budgets. Yet, like a ghost from the past, those extravagant sums no longer guarantee a blockbuster and fans have learned it the hard way. However, Pinocchio's creeping into the world of Winnie the Pooh has sent shivers down spines, convincing audiences that this budget was well spent.

In fact, now, they are more than willing to surrender their own cash at the box office, lured by the chilling allure of what is to come.

Many fans gave a shout-out for the “effort” the creators have been putting in to ensure Pinocchio: Unstrung does not sting the pockets. Meanwhile, others reckoned that the swelling budget speaks volumes of its own sinister promise. With the chilling approval already granted, all that remains is for Pinocchio to steal away the fans’ sleep, just as it has already taken their breath away with its ominous initial look.

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What do you think of the use of animatronic in Pinocchio: Unstrung? Let us know in the comments below!