Asheboro actress reprises role in ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ sequel

ASHEBORO — As a follow-up to “Five Nights at Freddy’s,”  the highest-grossing horror film of 2023 earning nearly $300 million worldwide, Universal Pictures presents its highly anticipated sequel on Dec. 5.

Based on Scott Cawthon’s blockbuster game series. “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” begins a blood-chilling new chapter of animatronic terror. Directed by noted returning filmmaker Emma Tammi, this latest chapter stars Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio and Matthew Lillard reprising their roles from the first movie.

Set a year after the first film, the sequel has added Skeet Ulrich, Wayne Knight, Mckenna Grace and Teo Briones to the cast. Producer Jason Blum announced that this show’s amazing animatronics are designed once again by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.

A 2010 graduate of Asheboro High School and 2014 graduate of the UNC School of the Arts, Elizabeth Lail enjoyed her big break in show business only months after college graduation, starring as Anna on ABC-TV’s fantasy adventure series, “Once Upon a Time.” She has since starred in such TV series as “You,” “Gossip Girl” and “Ordinary Joe” while also guest starring on “The Good Fight,” “The Blacklist” and most recently “Elsbeth.” 

In addition to her role as Vanessa in the “Freddy’s” franchise, Elizabeth has starred in such feature films as “Countdown” and “Mack & Rita” (the latter with late Oscar-winner Diane Keaton). She has also performed in several off-Broadway productions and appeared this past summer at the acclaimed Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts playing the role of Eva in one of Tennessee Williams’ early dramas, “Not About Nightingales.”

to participate in this five-month movie project, Elizabeth shared that it was “so exciting to reunite with the original team for the sequel. We’re so proud of the success of the first (film) and grateful to make the second. This film is bigger than the first, and we have some exciting new faces joining us.”

Those who have followed Lail’s career will note that she has tended to play darker, edgier roles than you would expect from someone with such a warm personality in real life, so she really enjoyed the writers allowing her to dig deeper into her character’s background and upbringing in this sequel. “Vanessa has had a traumatic childhood,” Elizabeth said, “and is now doing her best to let go of her past, especially her father’s haunting influence.” 

The Asheboro native also “adored working in New Orleans again and spending the weekends being a tourist, especially joining my castmates on the jazz scene plus riding a steamboat and going to a Pelicans basketball game,” she said. “I love working with this cast and crew and hope to do it again and again.” 

Judging from the success of the first film in this franchise and the early ticket sales for the second, there may well be a third in her future. But, for now, “Freddy’s Fans” can’t wait for this sequel and will no doubt be among the first in line this coming weekend to join Elizabeth’s proud parents (Dean and Kay Lail), sister (Kathryn Lail Baker) and grandparents (Jack and Betty Lail) plus other Randolph County family members and friends to see her latest theatrical endeavor at the Asheboro Mall Cinemark.