Whilst it was a film that saw a critical slaughtering at the time of its release – it currently holds a 3% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is oft-considered now one of the worst films ever made – there’s no denying that WINNIE-THE-POOH: BLOOD AND HONEY, a low budget horror recount of A.A. Milne’s classic creations, rode the wave of curiosity and controversy to its own benefit. With a $5.2 million dollar haul, it made 50 times its production budget, paving the way for a universe of horrific adaptations of some of literature’s most popular characters.

But before the recently dubbed “Poohniverse” assembles for all to see, director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and new Christopher Robin, Scott Chambers, are unleashing a second serving of blood and honey in the much-talked about sequel, WINNIE-THE-POOH: BLOOD AND HONEY II.

Deep within the 100-Acre-Wood, a destructive rage grows as Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Owl, and Tigger find their home and their lives endangered after Christopher Robin revealed their existence. Not wanting to live in the shadows any longer, the group decides to take the fight to the town of Ashdown, home of Christopher Robin, leaving a bloody trail of death and mayhem in their wake. Winnie and his savage friends will show everyone that they are deadlier, stronger, and smarter than anyone could ever imagine and get their revenge on Christopher Robin, once and for all.

As the film arrives in theatres this week, Peter Gray spoke with the duo about navigating the first film’s divisive reaction, what we can expect from them going forward, and, of course, the joy of unleashing gore on screen.