Exclusive Interview: Jack Skellington Actor Sets the Record Straight on Nightmare Before Christmas 2 Rumors

Summary

Chris Sarandon, the actor who voiced Jack Skellington in The Nightmare Before Christmas, completely debunked the rumors about a sequel. He made it clear that he is not part of the project and has no power to initiate it.

There is currently no confirmation from Disney about the development of a sequel to The Nightmare Before Christmas, despite continued demand from fans and merchandise sales. The last rumors regarding a sequel were in 2019, and since then, there has been no official statement. Although a novel sequel titled Long Live the Pumpkin Queen has been released, there are no official announcements or remarks from Disney about any potential plans to adapt it into a film or use it as a connection between the original movie and a future sequel.

The actor who voiced Jack Skellington in The Nightmare Before Christmas has spoken about the rumors of a sequel. Despite the film's popularity and frequent rewatching during Halloween and Christmas, no sequel has been made. However, rumors about a possible sequel have persisted over the years. While Tim Burton did not direct the film, his influence is evident in its gothic aesthetic. Considering Burton's recent return to his older movies with Beetlejuice 2, there is a possibility of a Nightmare Before Christmas sequel. However, the actor who plays the main character has addressed the idea and expressed pessimism towards it.

Will A Nightmare Before Christmas Sequel Even Happen?

During an episode of The Art of Kindness podcast hosted by Robert Peterpaul, Chris Sarandon, the actor who portrayed Jack Skellington, addressed the rumors of a potential sequel. Sarandon unequivocally denied any involvement in the project and emphasized his limited control over the situation. He mentioned being a hired actor and lacking the authority to initiate a sequel. While he expressed uncertainty about his participation, Sarandon also acknowledged Tim Burton's perspective on the matter, citing a similar situation with The Princess Bride. Sarandon admitted to hearing various rumors but questioned their authenticity.

Despite the ongoing demand from fans and the continued availability of Nightmare Before Christmas merchandise featuring Jack Skellington, the likelihood of a sequel in the near future remains uncertain. In 2019, rumors surfaced about the development of Nightmare Before Christmas 2, but it was unclear whether Disney was planning a stop-motion sequel or a live-action remake. Since then, there has been no news or updates from Disney regarding this matter.

Various attempts have been made to expand the story through non-film media, with mixed success. Jack Skellington and the other characters from Nightmare Before Christmas have appeared in video games like Kingdom Hearts (2002), a crossover game between Disney and Final Fantasy, as well as The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge (2004). Additionally, there are other films, such as Corpse Bride and Frankenweenie, that share similarities with The Nightmare Before Christmas. Unfortunately, there is no official news available about a proper sequel to Nightmare Before Christmas.

However, if there were to be a sequel to The Nightmare Before Christmas, now would be the opportune time to make it happen. In recent months, both producer Tim Burton and director Henry Selick have made successful comebacks on Netflix. Selick helmed the stop-motion film Wendell & Wild, marking his first feature since 2009's Coraline, while Burton captivated audiences with his popular Addams Family spinoff series Wednesday. With both creators back in the limelight, reuniting them for another installment in the franchise seems like a logical step, provided they are open to returning.

There Is A Nightmare Before Christmas Sequel Novel That Could Become A Movie

Disney released Long Live the Pumpkin Queen, a novel sequel to The Nightmare Before Christmas, in 2022. Unlike the movie, this novel shifts the story's perspective to Jack's love interest, Sally. Set 50 weeks after the original film, Jack and Sally return from their honeymoon only to find Sally struggling with her newfound role as queen. As she becomes trapped in the forgotten realm of Dream Town, everything she holds dear faces imminent danger. Keeping the witty and gothic aesthetic of the movie, the novel presents Sally as an equally captivating protagonist alongside Jack.

This novel holds the potential for a film adaptation, serving as a bridge between the original film and any future sequels. While there are currently no official plans or statements from Disney regarding the book's potential to expand the Nightmare Before Christmas universe, the possibility is evident. It is worth mentioning that Burton did not participate in the creation of Long Live the Pumpkin Queen. However, at present, there have been no confirmed plans for a sequel to The Night Before Christmas.