Producer of Child’s Play Television Series Talks Show’s Tone, Working Title

Fans of horror got the thrill of a lifetime earlier this month with news that the killer doll Chucky would be getting his own television series and now new details have emerged on the upcoming Syfy network series. Speaking with SlashFilm, producer Nick Antocsa revealed that the show’s tentative title is Chucky. Antocsa explains that the title was chosen to alert fans that the show would be in line with the recent movies in the franchise, which all have “Chucky” in the title. As fans of the franchise know, the first three films in the franchise were called Child’s Play but later entries in the series, such as Bride of Chucky and Seed of Chucky, dropped the original title in favor of putting the iconic doll front and center.

Antocsa also told ComicBook.com that the series will be entitled Chucky to avoid confusion with the upcoming reboot, which is using the Child’s Play moniker. The reboot, which stars Parks and Recreation actress Aubrey Plaza, has drawn criticism for deviating from the tone of the original series. The film will focus on the dangers of artificial intelligence technology as the doll’s inner computer embraces homicidal tendencies. The original franchise focused on Chucky’s evil actions being due to the doll being possessed by serial killer Charles Lee Ray. As shown in the first movie, Ray uses his dying breath to enact a voodoo ritual, transferring his soul into a toy doll. Antocsa says that the new television series will closely follow the mythology set by the original movies, leaning closer to horror instead of comedy. That being said, Antocsa also says that the show will still be accessible and easy to follow for people who have never seen any of the original films.

Antocsa continues that the show will primarily focus on a new group of characters, with original Chucky voice actor Brad Dourif returning to lead the cast. Although the show will mostly follow new characters, Antocsa says that characters from the film series, namely Jennifer Tilly’s Tiffany and Fiona Dourif’s Nica, could pop up in the show if the story requires their appearance.

Chucky does not currently have a premiere date but the Child’s Play reboot will be released in theaters on June 21.