The sequel to the global phenomenon Five Nights at Freddy’s is upon us, and the tension is already palpable—not just on the screen, but in the grueling production process itself. Stars Josh Hutcherson and McKenna Grace recently pulled back the curtain on the making of the highly anticipated FNAF 2, revealing how a film about surviving murderous animatronics demands real-life survival strategies, extraordinary dedication, and even some bizarre rituals for unwinding.

The interview, filled with candid confessions and surprising trivia, proves that the heart of the FNAF universe beats just as fiercely behind the cameras as it does in Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria.

Josh Hutcherson returns as Mike Schmidt, the struggling security guard who was dragged into the terrifying world of killer animatronics. A year after the events of the first film, Mike is attempting to find some semblance of peace. Hutcherson characterized Mike’s state in the sequel with a series of telling emojis. The first? The “hot face” emoji. “Mike in this movie is like the ‘hot face,’ like tired hot for sure, like you know he’s like out of it,” Hutcherson explains, perfectly capturing the overwhelming exhaustion and stress that defines his character’s life. This simple emoji hints at the non-stop, high-stakes psychological and physical toll Mike continues to endure. Following up on that visual sign of struggle, Hutcherson offered the “sunrise emoji,” a symbol of Mike’s desperate fight to “make it through the night at Freddy’s.” This suggests that every shift, every encounter, is a battle for survival, where merely seeing the dawn is a victory. The third symbol, the “headphones emoji,” underscores the meticulous nature of Mike’s defense, focusing on listening to every sound, every creak and whir that signals a threat lurking in the shadows of the abandoned restaurant.

Mike Schmidt’s journey in FNAF 2 is far from peaceful. The storyline picks up approximately a year after the conclusion of the first film, finding Mike striving for a normal life and attempting to solidify a healthier relationship with his younger sister, Abby. “Mike is really just trying to live a normal life and trying to make a better world for Abby,” Hutcherson confirms. “The relationship is in a better place… just when Mike thought maybe he’d get some nice peaceful existence, it’s not allowed.” The franchise, it seems, has a magnetic, horrifying pull. The actor emphasizes that “the world of Freddy’s has its way of like bringing you back into it,” and this time, the return is more dangerous than ever. The stakes are dramatically higher, with the introduction of “more animatronics,” ensuring that the sequel is bigger, bolder, and significantly more terrifying. For fans who were eager for increased threat levels, Hutcherson’s remarks are a clear promise that Mike will be running for his life against a whole new host of mechanized nightmares.

While Hutcherson’s return was expected, the casting of McKenna Grace in a new and significant role is a story of sheer, fanatical dedication that reads like Hollywood folklore. Grace, a talented actress known for powerful performances, revealed that her connection to the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise runs incredibly deep, long before the films were even a reality. “I don’t even know when this was announced that it was getting made into a film, like 10 years ago or something. I’ve been on the hunt trying to find any way to become any sort of part of this franchise,” she confessed. This wasn’t a casual interest; it was a decade-long obsession. The moment the opportunity arose, Grace took an extraordinary leap. While meeting with Blumhouse offices about a completely different project, she seized the moment.

The story of her audition is perhaps the most shocking and heartwarming revelation of the production. Instead of a meticulously prepared scene, Grace’s “audition tape” was a raw, emotional appeal. “So guys, like how’s ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’? Like I know y’all are shooting next year,” she recalled asking the producers. They allowed her to send a video to the director, Emma Tammi. “Please, please hire me, just like as an extra or anything,” Grace recounts her desperate plea. Her eventual audition tape, she clarified, “was quite literally me just begging her and Scott [Cawthon, the franchise creator] to hire me. I was like, ‘Please, I’m throwing my hat in the ring.’” What began as a fan’s desperate plea for an uncredited background role evolved into something much larger. She was given a role far more substantial than an extra, a testament to her passion and the compelling nature of her fan dedication. Her journey from begging for a minor role to landing a major character is a dream come true for any dedicated fan, transforming the sequel into a personal victory for the star.

Shooting a film like FNAF 2 is a highly intense experience, involving long hours on dark, elaborate sets filled with terrifying animatronics. The cast’s ability to “unwind” after a grueling day is essential for mental survival. Both Hutcherson and Grace shared surprisingly relatable, yet distinct, methods for decompressing after a 14-hour shoot day. McKenna Grace, perhaps channeling some of her character’s on-screen intensity, revealed a physically demanding ritual: running. “I really liked where I was staying in New Orleans was close to Audubon Park, which is like a beautiful park, so I’d love to go for a run there,” she explained. The surprising detail? She sometimes ran “even if it was at night, just to go and clear your head.” The irony of running alone in a dimly lit park after a day of being chased by fictional monsters in a dark pizzeria is not lost on the observer, suggesting a real need to push past the screen terror with physical exertion. Her simple post-run reward: an ice-cold La Croix.

Josh Hutcherson’s winding-down process is more introspective and focused on creative distraction. He confessed to listening to a lot of music and making it a point to seek out an instrument while on location. “I try to find like a guitar or something wherever I am on a production just because I feel like that kind of puts me in and out of whatever state I’m in whenever I’m shooting,” he shared. The act of playing music serves as a mental reset, a way to leave the haunted pizzeria behind and reconnect with the present moment. His less-demanding beverage of choice for relaxation? A nice, cold Diet Coke. These small, human details offer a compelling contrast to the high-octane horror they are paid to create, humanizing the actors behind the terrifying narrative. Their simple needs—a run, a guitar, a cold drink—are the anchors that ground them after a day of cinematic chaos.

The interview then shifted to a playful “Run for Your Life or Join In” quiz, forcing the stars to choose between embracing or fleeing various life scenarios. The results were telling, highlighting the actors’ shared interests and amusing contradictions. When asked about “pizza for breakfast,” both stars immediately chose Join In, a relatable confession that likely resonates with fans. Similarly, both were quick to Join In for “old school video games” and “puzzles” (specifically, thousand-piecers), suggesting a shared affinity for low-key, focused activities. These choices paint a picture of two co-stars who might actually enjoy a quiet, competitive evening together.

The subject of “day naps” caused a rare split. Hutcherson emphatically stated he was “in” for day naps, even noting that after a person hits 30, it “becomes like, how can you live without it?” He advises, “the option is there, take it, take it, agree 100%.” McKenna Grace, however, was on the fence. “I have like a firm, like, I hate naps. I don’t know why I hate them, but lately I’ve been really, really tired,” she admitted. Though she tries to run for her life, she often finds herself succumbing to the temptation—a perfect metaphor for the contradictory desires of rest and continuous action.

The most entertaining divergence came with the topic of “singing karaoke.” Grace was a clear Join In, a confident declaration followed by her preferred power ballad choices: Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know” and the classic “Hopelessly Devoted.” Hutcherson, surprisingly, was a firm Run for Your Life. “Singing is just one that has always escaped me,” he joked, doubting his own vocal talent. Yet, when pressed for a go-to song—because he admitted he’s done karaoke many times despite his aversion—he confessed his secret: he raps. His selections? Lupe Fiasco or Eminem, specifically referencing the iconic “Mom’s Spaghetti” line. The image of the actor known for battling haunted robots on screen passionately rapping Eminem on a karaoke stage is a deeply satisfying and shareable moment from the interview.

Finally, when asked about “scary movies,” both Hutcherson and Grace firmly chose Join In, confirming their genuine love for the genre that has made them stars. However, the last quiz item brought the focus back to the film itself: a “dance party at Kids Cove” after hours. Hutcherson’s instinct was immediate and clear: Run for Your Life. “I don’t want to die,” he stated, acknowledging the lethal reputation of the animatronics in that specific location (where Foxy lurks). Grace, ever the enthusiast, chose to Join In, illustrating her readiness to embrace the chaos, even if it means dancing with deadly robots.

The interview concluded with a poignant reminder of the personal sacrifices involved in creating a global film franchise. A major baseball event, the World Series, was underway in Los Angeles, the home of Hutcherson’s beloved Dodgers. Hutcherson, a self-proclaimed “diehard fan” who had attended five of the postseason games, shared a heartbreaking reality check. “I can’t go to any of the World Series games because I’m working,” he revealed. He would miss all the local games due to the demanding shooting schedule of FNAF 2. This personal sacrifice—a true fan giving up the biggest moment in his team’s season for his craft—underscores the intense commitment he has made to the Mike Schmidt role and the film’s success. The passion from both stars, from Grace’s desperate fan plea to Hutcherson’s dedication, ensures that Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 is being created with a level of heart and commitment that will undoubtedly translate into a spectacular and terrifying sequel for audiences worldwide.