Hollywood Prosthetics Experts Join 'Tumbbad 2' for Creature Design
In a significant development for the upcoming horror sequel, acclaimed prosthetics artists Shaune Harrison and Paula Anne Booker have officially joined the creative team of 'Tumbbad 2'. The artists, renowned for their work on major Hollywood productions, bring their extensive expertise in practical creature design and makeup effects to the project starring Sohum Shah and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.
Discovering 'Tumbbad' and Joining the Sequel
According to exclusive insights shared with Variety India, Harrison and Booker's journey with the sequel began after they first watched the original 'Tumbbad' film. Harrison admitted he was previously unfamiliar with the movie before discussions about the sequel commenced.
"In the U.K., I hadn't heard of Tumbbad," Shaune Harrison revealed to Variety India. He explained that the connection materialized following earlier conversations with the producers about another project that ultimately didn't proceed. "We had spoken to the producers about another project a couple of years ago that never happened. Then director Adesh Prasad reached out about 'Tumbbad 2' and asked if I had seen the first film. I said no, but I would. So we watched it that night."
The reaction was immediate and profound. "I was blown away," Harrison confessed. "I didn't know what to expect, but it was amazing." Paula Anne Booker echoed this enthusiasm, stating simply, "I loved it."
Harrison, a self-professed horror enthusiast, emphasized how the film's atmospheric elements particularly resonated with him. "I'm a massive horror fan, so the horror element really appealed to me," he explained.
Research and Creative Process for the Sequel
The prosthetics team quickly immersed themselves in the script and began exploring concepts for the film's creatures and characters. Harrison described a collaborative process involving extensive discussions with the filmmakers.
"The first script came over and I thought there were some really cool characters in it," he recalled. This initial assessment led to detailed conversations about visual representation. "Then we had a lot of back and forth conversations about how we could approach the designs and how the characters should look. There are multiple things we're doing for this film that we can't talk about yet, but there are some very cool characters," Harrison added, hinting at exciting developments.
Their preparation involved substantial research into Indian mythology to understand the film's cultural and narrative foundations. "We did a lot of research into Indian mythology to understand the background of the film," Harrison noted. He stressed the importance of script analysis in their creative methodology. "Breaking down the script is the most important step. Sometimes you think something might be digital, but then you start exploring how to create it physically."
Analyzing the Original Film's Visual Language
Harrison and Booker revisited 'Tumbbad' multiple times during their preparation, with Harrison estimating they've watched it approximately four times. "And every time you see something new," he observed.
Booker specifically praised the film's distinctive visual palette. "The colours are beautiful," she remarked, highlighting the strategic use of reds, blues, and shadows that contribute to the film's haunting aesthetic.
Both artists were particularly impressed by the original film's commitment to practical filmmaking techniques. "There's very little green screen," Harrison pointed out. Booker expanded on this appreciation for realism, revealing, "We didn't even realise the monsoon rain was real at first. Everything has a very real feel."
One character that captured their imagination was the demon god Hastar. "I loved him," Booker admitted enthusiastically.
The artists acknowledged that their professional background influences how they consume films. "We pause movies constantly to figure out how something was done," Booker explained. Harrison confirmed they applied this analytical approach to 'Tumbbad' as well. "We did exactly that with 'Tumbbad', trying to work out whether something was a real set, CG or green screen."
The involvement of Harrison and Booker signals a significant enhancement of 'Tumbbad 2's production values, blending Hollywood-level practical effects expertise with the distinctive visual storytelling that made the original film a cult classic. Their deep appreciation for the first film's atmospheric horror and practical approach suggests the sequel will maintain the franchise's commitment to tangible, immersive filmmaking while potentially expanding its creature design capabilities.
