Yet another adored children’s character is on its way to reemerging in a new form, ready to horrify its viewers. The Mean One will see the famous green Grinch become even more of a monster than we’re used to seeing. Getting its title from the song “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” the latest film by XYZ Films is another addition to the list of adaptations based on the Dr.Seuss character. An animated TV special based on the Grinch premiered in 1966, titled How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The second work came in 2000 with Jim Carrey playing a live-action version of the character in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, followed by the animated movie Grinch in 2018.

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In making its leap into the horror genre, The Mean One follows in the footsteps of yet another much-loved children’s character, Winnie the Pooh. The honey-loving bear becomes a psychotic serial killer in director Rhys Waterfield’s Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey. A terrifying retelling of A. A. Milne’s work, the slasher film will see Pooh and Piglet go on a rampage through Hundred Acre Wood, having been left alone by Christopher Robin.

With The Mean One set to release in time for the festive season, here’s everything you need to know about the green ghoul and his horror persona.

The Mean One: The Plot

     Universal Pictures 

The film is expected to more or less follow the classic narrative seen in the previous Grinch adaptations. However, with the horror genre tacked onto the latest project, the film is sure to have a few terrifying twists. As per Deadline, the plot will primarily focus on the green grump living on a mountain above the town of Newville and young Cindy You-Know-Who, whose parents were murdered by The Mean One twenty years before.

Related Link: Jim Carrey Fans Outraged at The Grinch Being Called a Terrible Movie

Although Cindy returns to the town to gain closure regarding the death of her parents, she is in for a nasty surprise as the murderous monster hasn’t yet changed his ways. With the monster’s murderous ways, Cindy You-Know-Who’s journey for closure soon becomes one of revenge.

With The Mean One intent on painting the town red for Christmas, decking the halls with streams of blood instead of boughs of holly, XYZ’s latest film will no doubt bring viewers a terrifying retelling of the Christmas-hating monster as he takes his hate to levels never seen before.

The Mean One: The Cast

     Cinedigm

David Howard Thornton will take on the titular role of The Mean One. Having previous experience portraying the Grinch in theatrical contexts, Thornton is quite familiar with the green monster. Given this, and the actor’s experience in slasher films such as the Terrifier films as Art the Clown, Thornton’s take on the role has a high likelihood of success. Joining the actor will be actress and stunt performer Krystle Martin, who will adopt the role of Cindy You-Know-Who.

Chase Mullins is set to take on the role of Officer Burke, while Erik Baker plays Hooper, the Sheriff of Newville. John Bigham will be playing Doc. Other cast members include Robert DiTillio, Rachel Winfree, Allyson Sereboff, Stephanie Bates, Steven Busby, and Jessie Holder Tourtellotte.

Scriptwriter Flip Kobler will also be a part of the cast, playing Lou. Kobler is not the only one from the creative team taking on an acting role, as producer Amy Schumacher is also set to take on a role in the film. The film will be directed by Steven LaMorte and executive produced by Jordan Rosner, Gato Scatena, and Zach Stampone. Joining Flip and scriptwriter will be Finn Kobler.

Related Link: Damien Leone and David Howard Thornton Discuss Terrifier 2’s Little Pale Girl

Making a statement regarding the film, Alex Williams, the Manager of Acquisitions and Development of XYZ Films, said:

Release Date

The Mean One is scheduled to release on December 15, 2022. With a little over a month left for the film’s release, viewers can binge-watch the previous Grinch movies in preparation for the upcoming horror tale.

“As a passionate fan of seasonal horror (and the Terrifier franchise), The Mean One is exactly the kind of film that lands on my personal ’nice list.’ This movie is a stunningly great time with a ferociously subversive turn from David Howard Thornton – and XYZ Films is so proud to be bringing this soon-to-be iconic Christmas slasher to audiences this holiday season."

Children Story Parodies

     Jagged Edge Productions

With the hype that Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey generated, The Mean One, too, may head into a platform of considerable discourse. Given this, we may see quite a few children’s movies being retold as films that fit within the horror genre. The Hollywood Reporter reports that Blood and Honey director Rhys Frake-Waterfield has confirmed that a twisted tale based on Peter Pan, titled Peter Pan: Neverland Nightmare, is already in the works.