The next maze that hasn’t even been announced yet for Universal Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights is “La Llorona: Villa De Almas Pedidas” (translation: “The Weeping Woman: Village of the Lost Souls”).
Update: Actor Diego Luna will be serving as a creative consultant on the maze. The Mexico City born actor’s breakthrough role was in “Y Tu Mamá También,” but may be most familiar starring opposite Tom Hanks in “The Terminal” or Sean Penn in “Milk.” Luna said, “Story-telling is at the heart of all my work and I’m thrilled to have the chance to help present the great La Llorona legend in a different kind of medium at the ‘Halloween Horror Nights’ event.”
Announcing the news of Luna’s participation on Twitter, Horror Nights creative director John Murdy added, “”Diego has a cool connection to the legend of La Llorona.” We can’t wait to hear the story!
La Llorona comes from Mexican and South American folklore, about a woman who drowns her own childen to be more appealing to a suitor, then kills herself when he shuns her after hearing of the murders. For generations, children of Latino heritage have been told that the ghost of La Llorona will “get them” if they don’t come home by curfew or stay out after dark.
This will be second year Horror Night’s has included La Llorona among its attractions usually reserved for established horror film franchise characters. Last year the La Llorona legend was incorporated into the theme park’s “scare zones,” having the character wander open areas, but this year Murdy and his team are building a dungeon set and a church facade for a dedicated attraction featuring “the weeping woman.”
More from the official press release:
The new maze will tell the haunting story of “La Llorona,” doomed to wander the earth forever after drowning her children in a desperate attempt to win a lost love. She then drowns herself when this attempt to win her lost love fails. According to the legend, La Llorona’s dreadful, wailing cries—“My children! Where are my children?”—can be heard eternally piercing the night. La Llorona’s frail, drenched body lurking throughout the dead of night will invariably elicit unwavering dread from the helpless village inhabitants or maze guests as her presence signifies impending death.
Universal Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights opens September 23, and continues on September 24, 30; October 1,7, 8,9, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31.
