UPDATE (6/18/21) - Sony has changed the film's release date to October 1, 2021. See the original story, with the previous release date below.
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I don't know about your kids, but mine absolutely love Hotel Transylvania. Drac and his family are far from just a Halloween tradition on our household. If you look back at the first three installments of the franchise, these movies are a lot deeper than you think. Sure they love to have fun, but they also deal with acceptance, stereotypes, parenting and even dealing with loss. These are mixed in so well, that it doesn't take the focus off of the wacky mix of monsters and humans at all. Now it's set to come to an end.
Hotel Transylvania: Transformania, the fourth installment in the franchise, is set to be the last. Details have been slim up to this point, and now we know why. Take a look at the first trailer, and if you've been watching from the beginning, you know why it's a big deal.
That's right, we're in for a little role reversal. Not only does Johnny (played by Andy Samberg) turn into a monster, we get to see his monster family and friends as humans. That includes Drac (Brian Hull), Frank (Kevin James), Murray (Keegan-Michael Key), Wayne (Steve Buschemi) and our first actual look at Griffin (David Spade). The only info that Sony has given out before now is the logline that, "Drac's pack is out of whack."
It's unclear what this means for Mavis (Selena Gomez) or Drac's new fiance Ericka (Kathryn Hahn). Could we see some changes there, as well? I'm guessing that this will give everyone a big more of a perspective on what it's like to be a human or a monster. Plus this could open the door for another sinister turn from Van Helsing (Jim Gaffigan). All we know for sure is, this looks like it's going to be a lot of fun.
Franchise creator Genndy Tartakovsky has returned to write the script, with Jennifer Kluska and Derek Drymon directing. Tartakovsky will also serve as executive producer along with Selena Gomez and Michelle Murdocca. Alice Dewey Goldstone will also produce. The movie also stars Asher Blinkoff, Brad Abrell, Fran Drescher and Molly Shannon.
Hotel Transylvania: Transformania will be in theaters on July 23rd from Sony Pictures Animation. Since my son has already watched the trailer on repeat, I'm sure I'll be seeing you there. Keep checking back for more coverage.
Photo Credit: Sony Pictures Entertainment