This is … not an inspiring lineup to me. TCM is the least appealing of the major slashers and I can’t imagine it moves merchandise the way Chucky or Halloween does. It seems like the least “socially acceptable” major slasher outside a horror-specific environment, which matters for merch.
Exorcist: Believer wasn’t just a failure, it was a historic bomb - one step down from Ishtar and its ilk. Sticking it in here seems like a really transparent corporate mandate to try and put a positive light on Uni’s massive overpay for the IP and not something driven by creative considerations in any way. I also felt the house, while fine, was MASSIVELY overrated, and unlike this year’s Ghostbusters really did suffer from being attached to a bad film. And again, I can’t imagine even the original Exorcist is a merchandise juggernaut.
I know Scarecrows is beloved, but my understanding is that its reputation rests largely on cast intensity, not something that can be reliably reproduced. I’d think it would be wiser to go with an “impressive sets” all timer like Pier.
Most importantly to me, there doesn’t seem to be a hint of dark humor in any of these houses. That’s a HUGE and defining part of the HHN brand.
I’d have a hard time thinking of a more uninspiring lineup. It’s really dimmed my enthusiasm for the project. I feel like you could have picked any four random houses from the last decade in Orlando and gotten a better mix.