Convention - SDCC 2025 : Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 unleashes triple the animatronic terror in Hall H

By Mulder, San Diego, Convention Center, Hall H, 24 july 2025

San Diego Comic-Con’s legendary Hall H was once again the epicenter of cinematic chills on July 24, 2025, as the cast and crew of Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 took to the stage to reveal a sequel that promises to be bigger, bolder, and far more terrifying than its record-breaking predecessor. Moderated by Juju Green (better known to his online followers as Straw Hat Goofy), the panel gathered an impressive lineup: director Emma Tammi, producer Jason Blum, and cast members Josh Hutcherson, Piper Rubio, Theodus Crane, Teo Briones, and Skeet Ulrich. Fans immediately sensed they were in for a treat when whispers of “three times as many animatronics” started circulating before Emma Tammi confirmed it herself — this time, the gang at Freddy Fazbear’s isn’t just back; they’re multiplying in numbers and menace.

What made the moment electric was Emma Tammi’s candid reflection on why she returned to direct: “All the set pieces were bigger, the stakes felt escalated, and the animatronics… well, there’s more than three times the amount we had last time. It’s so much more action with these characters, and that was incredibly exciting.” Her excitement was infectious, but the details were carefully guarded. At several points, Tammi and Jason Blum were seen huddling with Josh Hutcherson mid-panel to decide whether a particular reveal could slip out. Still, the crowd did not leave empty-handed: two beloved game icons, Withered Bonnie and Mangle, were officially confirmed for the film, with Josh Hutcherson confessing that Mangle was his personal favorite due to the sheer complexity and artistry of the puppeteering involved.

The event also underscored a cultural shift at Comic-Con — gone are the days when stars would claim they grew up on the comics; now, the nostalgia stems from gaming. Teo Briones, only 20, charmed fans by admitting, “I played the games when I was a kid,” an honest nod to the franchise’s deep-rooted influence on a younger generation. In a world where video game adaptations now regularly dominate both box office and streaming charts, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 is poised to not only replicate but expand on the $291 million success of the first film. Jason Blum himself teased that the door for a third film was wide open — provided audiences turned out in force this December. Still, he emphasized his superstition against obsessing over sequels too early, remarking, “If you start thinking about the second movie before you’ve completed the first, the first one suffers.”

The panel’s banter added an unpredictable charm, with Piper Rubio — the youngest cast member at just 11 — playfully challenging Skeet Ulrich after he coyly refused to reveal his character’s name. “Then why are you on this panel?” she quipped, earning huge laughs from the crowd. Skeet Ulrich did share that his character has “a deep emotional tie to what’s going on,” fueling online theories that he might be playing Henry Emily, a figure deeply connected to the lore — and a tantalizing reunion nod to his and Matthew Lillard’s shared Scream legacy. Matthew Lillard, unable to attend in person, appeared via video message to rally fans with his trademark enthusiasm: “If you go see it, they’ll make a third one! And then I get to kill Mike Schmidt!” The audience roared at the darkly humorous tease aimed at Josh Hutcherson’s long-suffering protagonist.

Fans were rewarded with an exclusive scene and trailer that hinted at a more expansive and dangerous Freddy’s universe. The footage showed a group of characters exploring a derelict Fazbear’s pizzeria, their flashlights cutting through the dust and decay, with a shadowy security guard portrayed by Freddy Carter ominously guiding them. Just before they could venture further inside, the screen cut to black, leaving Hall H buzzing with speculation. The Marionette — a fan-favorite animatronic — was heavily teased, and the trailer revealed that the animatronics are no longer confined to a single location, suggesting a broader, more perilous playing field for this chapter of the saga.

Beyond the scares, the human element remains central to the sequel. Josh Hutcherson spoke about Mike’s ongoing struggles after the trauma of the first film, noting that his character longs for stability with his sister Abby, played once again by Piper Rubio. “He just wants to have a calm, normal life,” Hutcherson said. “But that just can’t happen… Poor Mike.” The sequel will also bring back Elizabeth Lail as Vanessa and Theodus Crane as Jeremiah, alongside horror veterans Wayne Knight and Mckenna Grace in new roles. With practical animatronics once again crafted by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop — a decision driven by Emma Tammi’s commitment to honoring the tactile, nostalgic quality of the games — the production is doubling down on its blend of physical effects and intricate puppetry over CG-heavy shortcuts.

The fan reaction in the hall mirrored the online frenzy ignited by the trailer drop earlier in the week. Hashtags like #FiveNightsAtFreddys2, #FNAF2Movie, and #SDCC2025 began trending within hours, accompanied by an explosion of memes, gifs, and deep-dive lore discussions on Reddit and Twitter. Some fans latched onto a new meme involving Withered Freddy mimicking Dwayne Johnson’s gestures, while others speculated wildly about plot twists hinted in the footage. The secrecy around certain characters — particularly Skeet Ulrich’s role — has only fueled the hype, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of The Hunger Games–era fan fervor, something Josh Hutcherson openly acknowledged with a smile.

With a December 5, 2025 release date, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 stands as both a continuation and an escalation of a franchise that has quickly become a dominant force in modern horror. The mix of practical effects, an expanded roster of animatronics, deeper lore, and a cast that clearly enjoys playing in this eerie sandbox has created a perfect storm of anticipation. If the electric energy in Hall H is any indication, Freddy Fazbear’s reign of terror is only just getting started — and the fans wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Synopsis : 
1987, after a rather unstable life, Jeremy Fitzgerald found work as a security guard at the new Freddy's Fazbear Pizzeria, but when he entered there he would realize that not everything there is as it seems.

Five Nights at Freddy's 2
Directed by Emma Tammi
Written by Scott Cawthon
Based on Five Nights at Freddy's by Scott Cawthon
Produced by Scott Cawthon, Jason Blum
Starring  Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio, Wayne Knight, Teo Briones, Mckenna Grace, Matthew Lillard, Skeet Ulrich
Cinematography : Lyn Moncrief
Edited by Mitch Paulsen
Music by The Newton Brothers
Production companies : Blumhouse Productions, Scott Cawthon Productions
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date : December 3, 2025 (France), December 5, 2025 (United States)
Running time : NC

Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville