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The secret inspiration behind Five Nights at Freddy's? Disney's The Little Mermaid according to the cast (Maybe)
FNAF star Piper Rubio says that's canon that the Little Mermaid inspired Scott Cawthon to create the game franchise (She might not be serious)
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When it comes to the hulking animatronics of the Five Nights at Freddy’s movie series, not every cast member finds them as scary as they probably should, it turns out. In fact, Piper Rubio, who plays Mike’s little sister Abby in the series, actually loves Freddy, Chica, and the rest — much to the concern of Josh Hutcherson, who plays her on-screen brother.
“It’s amazing because Piper is such a big fan of Five Nights at Freddy’s in general that, every time that I get to see her see [the animatronics], the level of her face lighting up with excitement — like, I know what these things are capable of,” Hutcherson revealed during the San Diego Comic-Con 2025 panel for Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. “She runs to them, to hold them, to hug them.”
“But I trust them more than you,” Rubio responded. “And they trust me more than they trust you.”
“This is like the dark version of The Little Mermaid, where her father is telling her to get away from the humans, and she’s like, ‘But Daddy, I love them!’” joked panel moderator (and YouTube star) Straw Hat Goofy.
“That’s what this is based on,” Hutcherson deadpanned in response. “That’s Scott [Cawthon, franchise creator]’s inspiration for FNAF, The Little Mermaid,” Rubio continued. “This is canon, everybody! You hear that? Direct canon confirmation!”
Okay, maybe not canon, exactly — but certainly something in keeping with the creepy kids’ stuff gone wrong roots of the franchise in a very meaningful way.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 will lumber in theaters December 5. Any rumors that it will feature a singing crab are, alas, so far unconfirmed.
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About Comic-Con International: San Diego 2025
Comic-Con is the premier event for all things comics and related popular art, including movies, television, gaming, interactive multimedia, and so much more! Enjoy cosplay galore and take part in unique programming, exclusive previews, and presentations, not to mention the expansive and diverse Exhibit Hall featuring merchandise and displays representing all fandoms.
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