Elvira Joins R.L. Stine’s ‘Pumpkinhead 2’ as a Mysterious Witch
The Mistress of the Dark is stepping into the world of R.L. Stine.
Cassandra Peterson, best known for her longtime horror-host persona Elvira, has joined Tubi’s R.L. Stine’s Pumpkinhead 2, according to Entertainment Weekly. Peterson will play a mysterious witch named Cassandra in the sequel to the streamer’s 2025 supernatural horror film.
Described as wise and deeply connected to ancient magic, Cassandra understands the forces threatening the town of Redhaven and the potential sacrifice required to stop them. Her arrival becomes particularly important when a forbidden book unleashes another supernatural threat on the community.
“R.L. Stine and I have been in the business of scaring kids for a long time, so joining Pumpkinhead 2 was such a treat,” Peterson said in a statement provided to Entertainment Weekly. “Playing Cassandra was the perfect ‘witchy’ role for me.”
Inspired by Stine’s The Haunting Hour, the sequel brings back Sam, played by Bean Reid, and Becka, played by Adeline Lo. This time, the pair must prevent a new Pumpkinhead curse from spreading across Redhaven.
The trouble begins with Evan, a student dealing with bullies at school who discovers a forbidden book. His actions cause the pumpkin-headed children of previous sacrifices to emerge from the earth, creating a threat that could engulf the entire town. Cassandra arrives determined to destroy the book before the curse can claim more victims.
Peterson’s casting brings together two figures whose work has introduced generations of younger audiences to horror from distinctly different corners of the genre.
“Elvira and R.L. Stine each gave me a completely different way to experience horror growing up,” Josh Van Houdt, vice president of original scripted content, said in a statement. “Elvira through her unforgettable late-night movie presentations, and Stine through twisty, page-turning novels.”
The original R.L. Stine’s Pumpkinhead introduced Sam after he relocated to Redhaven with his family. When his brother Finn, played by Seth Isaac Johnson, disappeared and everyone around Sam seemingly forgot that Finn had ever existed, Sam joined forces with Becka and local outcast Rusty, played by Matty Finochio, to investigate the town’s harvest curse.
Jem Garrard returns to write and direct the sequel after handling both duties on the first film.
Peterson has spent decades closely associated with horror through Elvira, a character that became a pop-culture fixture through television, movies and appearances built around her combination of horror fandom and comedy. Pumpkinhead 2 gives Peterson a different opportunity within the genre by placing her directly inside Stine’s supernatural mythology rather than behind the familiar horror-host desk.
The sequel will also be part of Tubi’s plans for New York Comic Con. A panel scheduled for Oct. 11 will feature Garrard alongside designer, drag performer and actor Jimbo and Tubi Chief Content Officer Adam Lewinson. The streamer is expected to use the appearance to reveal additional plans for its R.L. Stine programming.
R.L. Stine’s Pumpkinhead 2 premieres Oct. 9 on Tubi as part of the streamer’s “Terror on Tubi” lineup.
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