So yeah, Nintendo thread proved I'm bad at riddles. Another gift from Santa, spoiler tagging it even tho this will surely be public knowledge months in advance of event ... two confirmed IPs for 2018:
Stranger Things. (No shock here.)
Freddy Krueger (fingers crossed for Dream Warriors, but no idea which movie(s))
Obviously I expect there to be more IPs but the fact these already being worked on suggests these will be the "spotlight" houses.
Even if it was a little too easy, the riddle game is fun when it's not beaten in the head.
As for what you mentioned, I am no way surprised about the first IP mentioned, and the second isn't surprising. That IP on it's own hasn't been used in years, and I hope the team for Orlando can use the IP as good of a job as possible.
That said, it is still too early. Perhaps after the holidays for both Coasts, so we have time to recharge, but that it isn't the proper time to discuss HHN2018 in general, even with the question of Murdy in Hollywood.