Understanding The Difference Between Classic Chucky And The 2019 Remake
November of 1988 introduced audiences around the world to America's favorite Good Guy doll Chucky. Possessed by the soul of sociopathic killer Charles Lee Ray a.k.a. the Lakeshore Strangler, Chucky's success has spawned several feature film sequels, video games, action figures, and even a divisive series reimagining.
After a series of direct to DVD feature films in the past few years, Chucky is now returning to terrorize a new generation of fans on not the big screen but small with an upcoming SYFY television series set for release on October 12th, 2021.
Titled simply Chucky, the show will center on a new unlucky child Jake Wheeler (Zackary Arthur) coming across the horrific doll at a yard sale, while significant periods within Chucky's past history are explored. The highly anticipated television series marks the first time that series co-creator Don Mancini has been involved in his life's work since the release of 2017's Cult of Chucky.
The Red-Headed Step-Child of Chucky
Following in the footsteps of iconic horror franchises A Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th, a Child's Play remake was in the works from MGM (Metro Goldwyn Mayer) for over a decade before finally releasing within the United States market on June 21, 2019.
Scaring its way into theaters with a new starring cast and modernized story elements, the remake ditches Mancini's established continuity and follows many plot elements set from the first Child's Play. In its act of independence, the remake saw the exclusion of both creator Mancini and staple Chucky voice actor Brad Dourif, whose classic expressions and voice were replaced in favor of fan-favorite actor Mark Hamill (Star Wars).
With Hamill's Chucky as its headliner, the remake featured an entirely new cast consisting of relative newcomer Gabriel Bateman as the new Andy Barclay alongside Aubrey Plaza (Karen Barclay) and Brian Tyree Henry (Mike Norris); ushering the Chucky series back to the darker period of evil from which it originated.
Though initially receiving fan criticism for its dramatic changes to Chucky lore, Chuky's return to the big screen ultimately achieved a modest critical reception and garnered over $45 million worldwide.
Though director Lars Klevberg (Polaroid)'s Child's Play invoked a newfound aura of horror into the franchise, the only variables not involved were Mancini and the creatives who helped Chucky achieve international fame in the first place.
The change in leadership only helped to create an even greater wedge of tension between the two generations of Chucky. Klevberg's film was a modern reimagining of the original 1988 film starring 6-year old Andy Barclay receiving a "brand new" Good Guy doll from his loving mother.
In order to align with the contemporary time period, Chucky is no longer a plastic doll but a high-tech smart doll hailing from Southeast Asia to help drive home society's overreliance on AI technology. Don Mancini has been involved with every Child's Play film in a writing capacity since the original, which he helped pen alongside John Lafia and the movie's own director Tom Holland.
An Icon Under New Management
Beginning with 1990's Child's Play 2, the future Chucky sequels found themselves in the ownership of esteemed film company Universal Pictures, following the dissolution of MGM's parent company United Artists.
Due to Universal's ownership over the Chucky character, it is the prestige studio's television division Universal Content Pictures (a subsidiary of NBCUniversal) that will distribute Mancini's upcoming television series.
MGM however retains exclusive rights to the first Child's Play film and the characters associated with the introduction to the franchise. As a sequel to 2019's Child's Play remake currently remains in discussion, Mancini and have gone full steam ahead on exposing the original Chucky to a larger audience once again.
Back to Basics
Coming off directing duties for 2004's Seed of Chucky as well as later entries Curse / Cult of Chucky, Don Mancini will be in charge of wiring and directing each episode of the upcoming first season. This October, television networks SYFY and USA will serve as the premier home for the continuation of Chucky's murderous story.
While the remake or any future sequels are seemingly unauthorized from mentioning Chucky's partner in crime and wife Tiffany Valentine (Jennifer Tilly), conflicted son with daddy issues Glen (Billy Boyd) or any other subsequent supporting characters, any mainstay players Child's Play including the Barclays and police detective Mike Norris are fair game.
In an effort to reel the series back to basics, Mancini is bringing along a few longtime friends starting with the return of the classic Chucky fans know and love, who will once again be voiced by Brad Dourif.
Additionally returning for the latest entry in the Chucky franchise is the doll's original nemesis Andy Barclay (Alex Vincent), Tiffany (Jennifer Tilly), Andy's heroic foster sister Kyle (Christine Elise McCarthy), and even the more recent Curse of Chucky protagonist Nica Pierce (Fiona Dourif).
Where Does Chucky's Future Lie?
Chucky and his fellow horror icons seem to be the prime candidates that lend themselves to a basic cable television format, in which a new season or even episode can act as its own independent arc and follow the killer targeting another unfortunate set of victims.
If the series proves to be a success, the feature films can become the revenue for alternate "what if?" storylines with the Chucky brand and characters, which may allow the dedicated horror fans to have their cake and eat it too. Though the direction of Chucky seems to be on television for the foreseeable future, Mancini has tentative plans to return the Good Guy to his feature film roots as well.
If Mancini's future Chucky movies are intended to be direct to DVD or theatrical releases, remain to be seen. The Chucky originator has even tossed around the idea of a potential Chucky / Freddy Kruger crossover to New Line Cinema. One thing is for sure, Chucky may not be the pop culture sensation that he was in the late 80s / early 1990s, but the future seems to be bright for a homicidal killer doll.
SYFY and USA's Chucky will hit television screens just in time for Halloween on October 23rd, 2021.
Opinions and Perspectives
I miss the practical effects from the original series. CGI just isnt the same.
Looking forward to seeing how the TV series handles the horror elements within broadcast restrictions.
The TV series format could really let them explore different horror styles.
Interesting how they handled the mother-son relationship differently in both versions.
The TV series bringing back old characters shows they know what fans want.
The remake tried too hard to explain everything. Sometimes mystery is better.
Making Chucky an AI removed all the supernatural elements that made him interesting.
The original has aged surprisingly well. Can't say the same for the remake.
Glad to see Fiona Dourif returning for the TV series. She was great in Curse.
They really missed an opportunity to do something unique with the remake.
The TV series seems like its trying to please both old and new fans.
The remake could have worked if they hadnt tried to connect it to Childs Play at all.
Both versions have their merits, but the original is definitely more memorable.
Im actually glad they tried something different with the remake instead of just copying the original.
Hamill is a great voice actor but he was miscast as Chucky. His performance felt too Joker-like.
The TV series format could really let them explore the mythology more deeply.
Watching the original as a kid scarred me for life. The remake just doesnt have that same impact.
The remake felt like it was made by people who didnt understand what fans loved about the original.
Love that theyre exploring Chuckys past in the TV series. So much potential there.
The original series got campier over time, but that was part of its charm.
The remake missed the point about what makes dolls scary in the first place.
Interesting how they kept the Good Guy doll concept but modernized it. Not sure it worked though.
The original Chucky had better one-liners. The remake's dialogue felt flat.
Wonder if the TV series will reference the remake at all, even subtly.
The lack of practical effects in the remake really hurt it. Nothing beats old school horror techniques.
I think we're all overlooking how good Brian Tyree Henry was in the remake.
Bringing the franchise to TV is smart. More time to develop stories and characters.
The remake was unnecessary. They should have just continued the original timeline.
Im curious about those tentative plans Mancini has for future movies. A Freddy crossover could be fun.
Watching both versions back to back really highlights how horror has evolved over the decades.
The original had better pacing. The remake felt like it was trying too hard to be modern.
Jennifer Tilly added so much to the franchise. Shame the remake universe cant use Tiffany.
That $45 million worldwide for the remake isnt great considering modern budgets. Maybe thats why they havent rushed into a sequel.
Its interesting how they changed Andy's age in the remake. Making him older definitely changed the dynamic.
The remake trying to make Chucky sympathetic at times was a weird choice. He works better as a straight-up villain.
Brad Dourif IS Chucky. No offense to Mark Hamill but some roles just cant be recast.
The budget difference between the original and remake is quite noticeable. Sometimes less is more when it comes to horror.
Im glad theyre continuing the original timeline with the TV series instead of following the remake path.
The fact that Mancini wasnt involved in the remake really shows. The soul of the original series just wasnt there.
Anyone remember how terrifying the original Good Guy commercial was? The remake didnt capture that creepy toy marketing vibe at all.
I actually enjoyed both versions for different reasons. The original is classic horror, while the remake spoke to modern fears about technology.
The remake missed what made Chucky scary. It wasnt just that he was a killer doll, it was his personality.
A crossover would be terrible. The two versions are completely different in tone and motivation. It would never work.
Wonder if they'll ever do a crossover between the two versions? That could be interesting.
Looking forward to seeing how they handle Chucky's origin story in the TV series. Mancini being involved gives me hope.
The practical effects in the original series were so much better. CGI Chucky just doesnt have the same impact.
I disagree about the voodoo aspect. The AI storyline actually makes more sense for modern audiences who are already scared of technology taking over.
Does anyone else think its weird how they completely abandoned the voodoo element in the remake? That was such a crucial part of the original story.
Interesting that MGM only owns rights to the first film characters. That explains why the remake felt so disconnected from the larger universe.
The difference in tone between the original and remake is fascinating. The original had this perfect balance of horror and dark humor that made it special.
Anyone else excited about the TV series bringing back the original cast? I cant wait to see Alex Vincent as Andy again!
You make a good point about Plaza, but I still think Catherine Hicks in the original had more emotional depth. Her fear felt more genuine.
I loved Aubrey Plaza as Karen Barclay though! She brought a different energy to the role that worked really well in the modern setting.
The AI angle in the remake felt forced to me. Not everything needs a tech upgrade. Sometimes classic possession is scarier than rogue artificial intelligence.
I actually prefer the original Chucky. Brad Dourif's voice acting brought something special to the character that Mark Hamill, despite being talented, just couldn't replicate.