There is a sense of relief and immediate vulnerability to Hutcherson that only grows as our conversation goes on. For someone who has been acting consistently since he was about 8 years old, it’s no surprise that he is used to this whole process by now. Still, he seems to be at a level of contentment and ease that most people — of any profession, at any age — strive for.

This is not something that happened overnight, but rather, is the result of surviving years of experiences that so few people — even within the industry — will ever be able to relate to. A level of intense fame that, understandably, would’ve spelled disaster for many in his position. Remarkably, he emerged from the other side of childhood and teen stardom (looking at you, <em>Hunger Games</em>) with a level of maturity, honesty, and curiosity that is as intriguing as it is refreshing, engaging as it is exciting. Hutcherson is an artist with a lot to say and isn’t afraid to say it candidly.

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Hutcherson Heard You Loud and Clear: ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ Is Way Scarier Than the Original

Before taking him back to the beginning of his career, all the way to his Kentucky and Oakwood Apartment days, we jump into Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 — the movie he’s making the rounds promoting. There’s a level of lore and intense fandom for this online horror survival game-turned-film franchise that the average moviegoer might not realize. So big, in fact, that Hutcherson told me he was “warned” about what he was getting into if he signed on to the project.

“I think, truthfully, when this came to me, I didn’t fully realize how big FNAF was,” he explains when asked if he was at all hesitant to jump into another potential franchise. (He says “FNAF” – pronounced as “Eff-naff,” – with such ease, a clear sign of how much he’s embraced his role in this fun horror world.) “It’s a world of gaming I’m not really part of, so it was a whole culture I knew nothing about.”

The horror game, chock-full of jump scares and nightmare-fuel animatronics, follows Mike Schmidt, a down-on-his-luck security guard with one goal: to survive his shift at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria. A midnight to 6:00 a.m. gig might sound easy, but not when you are under the constant threat of murderous animatronics that haunt the dark, abandoned halls of the once-lively pizza joint. Given the unfathomable degree of fame and attention he endured during the Hunger Games, especially, it’s surprising to hear how willing he would be to enter that sort of arena again. For him, though, those consequences weren’t something that would impact his decision.

“I didn’t hesitate in that regard because I was excited to make the movies. I liked the idea inside of them. I liked Emma Tammi, the director, a lot. I’ve always loved Blumhouse and a lot of the stuff they do. I also don’t really think of those consequences of jumping into a big thing,” casually adding, “If I like it, I want to do it. If I don’t like it, I don’t want to do it.”

The 2023 adaptation of Scott Cawthorn’s games made a staggering $291 million at the worldwide box office off a fairly modest budget of $20 million. When asked if he was shocked at all by the film’s success, he says, without hesitation, that he “definitely” was, and that “Jason Blum may have been the only one that wasn’t at all surprised.” After all, the Blumhouse founder, according to Hutcherson, spent around a decade working to secure the rights to the franchise. “I think all of us were hopeful but not expecting anything like it did.”

Hutcherson plays the main role of the security guard Mike, who tries to make ends meet and raise his little sister, Abby, played by Piper Rubio. My first thought while watching Five Nights at Freddy’s — especially after revisiting so much of Hutcherson’s entire filmography — was how perfectly he transitioned into the role of a “protector” after years of being a child actor often surrounded by so many adults. “I remembered how incredible it was for me when I was on set and someone older took me under their wing or someone really gave me the space to just exist and they treated me like an adult.” “To be able to have that experience where I’m the older person and Piper who plays my sister not that she needed advice or anything like that but just to treat her with respect and show her the way… it was very cool for me.”

There was a shorthand and overall comfort on set of Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 that helped everything click into place. Aside from the familiarity and back-to-summer-camp feel built into a sequel there is also a much bigger budget of $51 million. But more money also means higher expectations and pressure which he took very seriously. The new movie sees the return of Elizabeth Lail’s Vanessa who we learn in the first film is the daughter of William Afton (Matthew Lillard) who — spoiler alert — is the serial killer who killed those kids (including Mike’s brother Garrett) all those years ago and put their bodies in said animatronics. (Their souls are what possess and bring to life the freaky mascot-like creatures that are on a perpetual murder spree in the pizzeria.)

The end of the first film leads you to believe that William is left for dead in the massive Yellow Rabbit suit but the new film’s trailer shows he somehow survived that fateful night. He’s joined by newcomers to the franchise, McKenna Grace and Skeet Ulrich, the latter of whom served as a fun Scream reunion on set. “They’re both such good guys,” Hutcherson said of Lillard and Ulrich. “Skeet was a great actor and brought such an intensity to his role. We have a pretty big pivotal scene in the movie.”

Hutcherson is very much tuned in to the world of the horror series but when it comes to preparation he avoids all lore and any backstory for his character. “I decided early on that my construction of Mike is going to be solely based on the scripts and movies and what we talk about amongst Emma myself and Scott the game creator. I didn’t dive into any of the game lore to understand anything deeper about Mike because I don’t want to know things that I shouldn’t know. I think it’s better to let it live in this universe of Freddy’s film world.”

Hutcherson understands and respects the fandom and wants to deliver. It’s easy for an actor to skirt by a film’s flaws or missteps but he didn’t hesitate to explain what he feels the first film could’ve done better. “The first movie it should’ve been scarier. It could’ve been scarier. I think that was sort of a feeling that a lot of fans had as well. They loved it obviously but they kind of wished it was a bit scarier.”

Hutcherson needs to understand the “how” and “why” of every beat of a story every motivation every reason. This is admittedly a tall order for a franchise like this. “It’s so weird and illogical sometimes. I try to be a very logical person so I’m wanting to understand fully like ‘Okay what does this mean? Why this? Why that?’ In Freddy’s world sometimes you have to let go of that and just go with the vibe lean into the weirdness.” That kookiness includes a lot of Easter eggs for diehard fans especially going into the sequel. “We just want to make something that fans could really really sink their teeth into.”

How a 9-Year-Old Convinced His Parents To Let Him Try Acting

At this point in our conversation we head to his early years in Kentucky where this movie star fantasy of Hutcherson’s was just that — a fantasy. He had no ties to Hollywood no idea where to start. What he did have though was a lot of determination. “I got out a phone book and looked up ‘acting.'” His parents understandably didn’t quite know what to do with this elusive dream of his thinking (and perhaps hoping) that this was just a phase or something he would grow out of. It wasn’t that they weren’t supportive — actually quite the opposite. They just didn’t really know where to begin.

“They’re like ‘I don’t have any fucking idea,'” a likely exaggeration of wording given Josh was about 9 years old when he first brought it up. “They’re probably in Hollywood and they make a movie maybe when you’re older you can try it.”

But that would not stand for young Hutcherson. “I called the agency myself when I was nine and told them I wanted to be in movies.” The agency upon hearing his adorable little voice on the other end told him that his parents would have to step in. Frustrated but determined he nudged his parents again. “Clearly this kid is stubborn and he’s not going to stop,” he says almost amused. His parents did what any supportive parents would do and let him lean into his interests not only would this allow him to express himself but it confirmed he was heading in the right direction.

After a few sessions even the acting coach was convinced he was destined for success so convinced that he told Hutcherson’s parents they should take him to California for pilot season. “I think this kid has a chance of making it,” were magic words his parents couldn’t deny and Hutcherson and his mom packed up car headed for California. The actor recounts this life-changing moment with wonder awe appreciation He’s very much aware that this decision was extremely risky and odds were — no pun intended — not in his favor. “The craziest thing,” he says with such bewilderment gratitude “is my mom who was younger than I am now got in car with me at nine drove LA try pursue this crazy thing.”

Not only did pre-teen try but also thrived — right away Upon arrival at famous Oakwood Apartments where many child actor hopefuls their parents call home between auditions callbacks started booking jobs instantly Part success confidence could be traced back relationship eccentric grandfather In another interview Hutcherson describes great detail exactly how unique offbeat he was It’s at this point our conversation search way bring grandfather up Hutcherson notices carefulness puts out misery.

“He was weirdo,” laughs “You can say it capital W.” According actor walk beat drum constantly breaking mold certainly caring what people thought about him More than anything else taught grandson how think always questioning everything whether be system patriarchy Seeing someone goes walks walk doing things against norm think really big influence me.” Thinking without limitations always being curious philosophies parents put weight behind would certainly serve Hutcherson well down road.

Jon Favreau Encouraged Hutcherson’s Ambitious Directing Dreams

Of course at time young Hutcherson missed father brother stayed Kentucky But family made concerted effort never go more than three weeks without being together This way life seven years This seven years struggling close calls booking gig seven years constant success If seemed like Hutcherson had project coming out every year early 2000s because did.

As early as 2002 booked spot onER, followed by main supporting roles major movies.The Polar Express, followed byKicking & Screaming, along withZathura: A Space Adventure,Little Manhattan– all same year On paper sounds like dream come true many obvious ways But Hutcherson knew anomaly.

“The normal way things go you struggle get told no time time again If you’re lucky get big break then can lead other things My story different From very beginning knew meant actor never doubted Started booking things immediately which incredible,” details before quickly adding also dangerous “You don’t learn rejection way You don’t learn how handle.”

Rejection wasn’t part Hutcherson vocabulary At least not then On setZathura, directed byJon Favreau, co-starring then-unknownKristen Stewart, young actor’s burning passion directing wasn’t just entertained encouraged Favreau big kid set mindset stick with Hutcherson much later Movie while didn’t leave mark box office hugely formative “That shoot amazing many ways It very technical shoot A lot practical effects complex camera sequences.”

Hutcherson played Walter tough no-nonsense older brother co-starJonah Bobo‘s meek Danny both end space adventure board game play comes life One argueZathuraa best displays Hutcherson adept acting ability Walter starts bit arrogant jerk hilariously barking “Get me juice box bee-otch,” robot enters lives blames Danny parents’ divorce But key scene two actors toward movie end peels back Walter tough exterior Hutchinson impressively delivering moving monologue conveys love brother struggled express entire movie.

No nothing could top learned Favreau One thing really learned Jon never lose sense being kid Never lose curiosity excitement world Don’t become jaded says When shot movie felt big kid excited effects going work cool set looked That kind excitement very present inside him.

Apart creating inventive limitless space creativity director also took budding interest directing heart Here camera Go shoot behind-the-scenes stuff want get me today,” Hutchinson fondly remembers cool just remembering back good made feel kid instilled him He doesn’t skip beat methodically recounts detail went production had multiple moving parts That all done practically Very little green screen house set built gimbal rig could tilt entire square foot house degree angle.