Here we are at Universal Studios Hollywood for another wonderful edition of the Halloween Horror Nights Tracker. While no new announcements have been made just yet, we see a set of three major conventions coming up, ComicCon, MidSummer Scream, and ScareLA, that should yield more revelations as to what will be coming to the annual event. As summer theme park goers mob the front of the park, and have their time in the sun, evil is brewing in the dark recesses of this theme park and working movie studio.  There are now a total of 5 mazes visibly under construction, two of which have been announced and one of which appears poised to be revealed. Here are pics from the park taken yesterday.

If you have missed any of the other tracker updates just follow any of the links below.

• Universal Hollywood HHN 2016 Tracker 1
• Universal Hollywood HHN 2016 Tracker 2
• Universal Hollywood HHN 2016 Tracker 3
• Universal Hollywood HHN 2016 Tracker 4
• Universal Hollywood HHN 2016 Tracker 5
• Universal Hollywood HHN 2016 Tracker 6

The Exorcist

One of our most anticipated mazes for the entire year, The Exorcist takes form behind the Revenge of the Mummy attraction in an unused extended queue. The plywood façade has now begun paint with a heavy foundation of black. In fact, the exit of the walkthrough appears to have the same treatment applied.

Please let this be amazing.

Halloween: Hell Comes to Haddonfield

We can’t wait to return to the hallowed grounds of Haddonfield Illinois to follow the trail of death and destruction left behind by our favorite slasher, Michael Myers. Murdy tweeted about the sound mixing on this maze this week and gave away a few hints on what will be coming in the last few rooms of the attraction.

Tomorrow I’m heading off site to our audio vendor’s studio to start working on HHN maze audio…Halloween sequel is on tap

— Horror Nights (@HorrorNights) July 21, 2016

I totally dig the sound design for Halloween, particularly the last 3 scenes which are our original spin on the film…trip fest!

— Horror Nights (@HorrorNights) July 22, 2016

Last year the Halloween maze, based on the original film, ended with a mirror maze filled with Michaels along with a few actors. The idea was that the boogeyman was everywhere.  The film Halloween 2 ends with Michael Myers charred, and supposedly dead n the floor of a hospital hallway with Laurie Strode riding off in an ambulance. What original spin could Murdy and crew be offering this year?

It appears that the maze will begin at the scene where Dr. Loomis shot Myers causing him to fall from the second story balcony.

Maze 3

On the backlot we see that one maze is becoming more and more detailed with a seemingly inevitable announcement. A two-story suburban brick home with a chimney. We have to hand it to them here. A two-story faux-brick façade with real, functional windows. Who else but Universal spends the money on details like this with the simple goal to terrify and entertain?

Maze 4

Behind the hi-def backdrop Maze 4 is coming along. More construction being stuffed into the compact tent area. This, in turn, is making it a little more difficult to see in for any more clues. But that is part of the fun isn’t it?

Maze 5

FInally we see Maze 5  off in the corner, in front of Stage 747. The new maze is getting a large façade much like the other three before it.

Terror Tram

A few interesting notes on the Terror Tram came from Murdy this week in his usually prolific Twitter feed @HorrorNights. Sadly, there will be no gorillas planned for this area of HHN.

Terror Tram film shoot is locked for next week…guerilla film-making at its finest…sans gorillas of course…

— Horror Nights (@HorrorNights) July 21, 2016

Scare Zones

First note about the upcoming scare zones coming to us.  We know that things will be done just a little different this year. Not exactly sure what that meant when Murdy said it but it’s the tweet below that had us interested.

Just approved the first make up sculpt for a scarezone…an original idea of ours and rather timely for this week…hmmm…

— Horror Nights (@HorrorNights) July 21, 2016

Please let this be a Kang and Kodos election year theme. Imagine that! 

Other Bits

In other news, the scant amount of tweets that Murdy threw out there this week offered a little bit more info on the Halloween maze.

Heading off to Pasadena to dive into maze audio design…for many, many hours. The first of many sessions to come.

— Horror Nights (@HorrorNights) July 21, 2016

The first maze audio session was extremely productive. Finished Halloween sequel and a maze to be named later…

— Horror Nights (@HorrorNights) July 22, 2016

That should do it for this weeks HHN Tracker. Stick close for possible upcoming announcements from ComicCon, Midsummer Scream, and ScareLA.

Until then, we will see you in the fog!