HHN XXIV: RUMOR MILL

    Random people singing on Youtube, picture clues, permits, and zany theories. It must be HHN speculation season again. I get asked by people all the time if I "know" anything. Truth is...I might and that makes me getting on video (which I used to do), and speculating along with all of you hard. I toyed with the idea of playing coy, but I decided that wouldn't be the best way to go. So instead, I'm just going to list out what the current speculated House line-up is, by the HHN faithful this year. These are the Houses that most seem to agree on, but know that there are a few other theories floating around out there. I will also say that this year, some things seem to have been in flux.  
    We know from the past, that things can change at the very last minute. In recent history, American Horror Story is a good example as it was supposed to come to the event last year. Pretty late in the game it was dropped for Evil Dead. Buzz from this year suggest that may have been the case early on as well. A few theories have been floating around as to why. From what I can gathered, Fox wanted the House to be a little...adult. If you've seen the show, then you know what I'm talking about. If that was the case, I can see why getting the property to the event would be difficult. I don't think HHN Orlando would be willing to push THAT far. Look, it's different in this town. Orlando can only get away with so much until people start complaining. Even Hollywood isn't immune to this (see the Bill & Ted fiasco from last year). 
    So, that's out of the way, let's take a look at the line up that most seem to agree is coming to the event.

• *THE WALKING DEAD (ALREADY REVEALED)

• ALIEN VS PREDATOR
• HALLOWEEN
• DRACULA UNTOLD
• A HOUSE BASED AROUND CLOWNS
• A HOUSE BASED AROUND LIVING DOLLS
• A HOUSE BASED AROUND THANKSGIVING AND/OR SOMETHING TO DO WITH NATIVE AMERICANS
• A HOUSE BASED AROUND THE BOOGEYMAN

    
    The smarter speculator's out there knew The Walking Dead was coming back. If one is to believe the rumor about the three year contract, then it was inevitable. I don't believe revealing The Walking Dead first was an accident. I have to believe that the powers that be, know the die-hards are unhappy the property has been at the event. They had to know bringing it a third time would not sit well, especially after the streets last year. You also run the risk of a backlash from the General Public. They too may be getting tired of it. Announcing it first gets it out of the way. It also tests the waters, and they've done a few things to ensure that a repeat of The Walking Dead takeover, is not happening. Granted, it's getting the largest House in HHN history, but I digress. Hey, go big or go home, right?
     I will believe the General Public is tired of The Walking Dead when the event doesn't sell out this year. The same thing was said about the property coming back last year by a few, and the event sold out for the first time in a long time. And no, I don't hold much credence to Facebook comments. The same stuff was said last year on HHN's Facebook page. If the event is as crowded this year as it has been the past two years, then the tired of the Walking Dead theory is moot. The property sells tickets, so bringing it back was the correct decision. Might not have been the best decision, but the right one-A logical one.
    The Native American/Thanksgiving deal is an interesting theory. Some rumors suggest that there was another property trying to make its way to HHN, with this one being a fallback. Seems they've had some trouble trying to make the other property work. A few have gone back on saying that the Native American House is a done deal, and the other one has been given the green light. Me, I'm not so sure (*wink). 
    The Clown House had some people saying Jack The Clown may be coming back this year. Again, I'm not so sure (*wink). I think it would be a natural fit for him, but I wouldn't hold my breath on that one. Perhaps a cameo like in The Cabin In The Woods, but I don't think anything more than that. Killer Klowns From Outer Space, was something that was speculated early on. The Clown House I think could be HHN's representation of that. For whatever reason, perhaps they couldn't get the rights, or some thought it would be too risky. Still, it has some guessing recently that perhaps it is in fact Killer Klowns. Me, I'm not so sure (*wink). 
    Dracula Untold seems like a good cross-promotion for Universal. The first trailer was released today, perhaps not by NBC Universal's doing as it was pulled from Youtube pretty quickly. You can view it HERE if you wish. The flick looks more like a Game of Thrones inspired film, and I definitely get a little Van Helsing vibe. Still, I would be curious to see how they interpret this for a House. It could actually be pretty neat. I could see some great sets coming with this one.
    Alien VS Predator is a funny one. I would love to have been a fly on the wall if this was being pitched around. I really would like to see an Alien House, but HHN Orlando has already kind of done their own take on that with Interstellar Terror. While I think the property is a bit odd and out of its current time, something like this has the potential to be epic.
    Halloween is something that fans have wanted to come to the event for a while. If this is the year, I'm happy. Hey, it's Halloween. And that's all I have to say about that. The living doll concept could be creepy. Some have speculated that perhaps this is The Conjuring, connecting it to that Annabelle doll. I don't think so (*wink). Has potential to be really creepy if true.
    There's been some speculation that this "Boogeyman" House might actually be Legendary Truth related in some way, shape, or form (*wink). It's not like Legendary Truth hasn't had their own inspired House before, see Wyandot Estate for details. I think most believe that it also wont be a retread of El Cucuy from Hollywood. If that was the case, expect an Urban Legends tagged onto the front.
    I would also like to address the speculation about an Icon or overarching theme. At the moment of this writing, I do not believe there will be an Icon based on what I am being told (*wink). Things could change, but I wouldn't put all my money on black. Is there a possibility? Yes, anything is possible, but it's not looking likely. I do believe there will be some kind of theme (*wink), and it won't be The Walking Dead. However, I don't think the theme will be in your face. I think it's going to be more subtle. 
    So what do you think? If this is the line-up for this year, do you like it? Have a favorite? Anything jump out at you? See what I did there? Ha! I kill me!