Would be so happy if it was Scream + Conjuring rather than Scream + M3GAN/Black Phone. Speaking of which, the fact that we still think Scream may be coming, means I'm happy.
I think a lineup consisting of Scream, The Conjuring, FNAF, Terrifier, and Fallout would be indicative of setting up a message.
For the past four years we haven't exactly had the biggest plays and the most striking hands. Sure, we've had big ones, (The Weeknd, TLOU, Stranger Things 4, A Quiet Place and Chucky); but nothing in the lineup has really been as bombastic and "New" in the terms of house content. It's been repetitive, using pre-existing IP's for the majority of the houses since 2021 to 2024 that have had a presence in the event before. Even in Chucky and ST's case, neither have been strangers to HHN.
I also think a problem has presented itself that with a notable exception (Texas: LOL), for the most part Horror Nights in Hollywood has been...safe. Predictable in the tactics and methods. Me and
@Freak talked about it in the past, but I think despite the regurgitated content; 2024 was a striking year in enhancements overall to the quality of the event.
With Fright Fest investing into IP, Universal beginning to tap into a dormant market with Fan Fest Nights, and the past four years in account; I actually think this lineup sets the message clearly: that Horror Nights in Hollywood could be a major statement in the SoCal event space.
Even excluding The Conjuring to this count, Scream; FNAF; Terrifier and Fallout are four massive IP's for the general consumer, and it's going to result in us returning to near constant "Sell Out" nights with the IP interests, and the demographics (assuming if it's accurate and all that). It feels like it'd be a massive shot in the arm, one needed for a long while (assuming it happens like this and we don't see hand-me-downs).