How performer from Inverness took on starring role in sequel to Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey cult horror film
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It has been accused of ruining people's childhoods, destroying an iconic Teddy bear character – and its cast members were reportedly sent death threats.
Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey, a budget horror film depicting Pooh and Piglet as feral and bloodthirsty murderers on the rampage, became a global cult phenomenon following its release this year, attracting outrage as well as a massive following of fans.
A performer and comedian originally from Inverness has now taken on a leading role in the sequel expected to be released early next year.
Former Millburn Academy pupil Eddy Mackenzie plays Piglet, sidekick to a cannibalistic Pooh, as the pair emerge in a very different light to the loveable characters of A A Milne's classic children's books.
"I don't think it's the sort of film my mother would watch!" laughs the 32-year-old as he chats about his career including "stumbling" into the role of Piglet, how a TV appearance with Jimmy Carr enabled him to give up his supermarket job and living with the condition, dyspraxia.
Eddy, the eldest of four brothers, now lives in Glasgow but was back in the Highland capital for a family gathering at the home of his parents – Inverness councillor Isabelle MacKenzie and her husband, Donald.
He describes himself as an actor, presenter, voice artist and musician with experience in a wide range of projects from TV to stage and with his jovial and positive demeanour, it is hard to imagine a more different character to a brutalistic Piglet.
Eddy had not seen the original film when he was offered the part.
"I would not call myself a horror movie fan," he says. "I'm a bit of a scaredy cat."
He was also unaware he had been offered the role until his agent ordered him to reply to an email sent by the film's director.
"I had no idea any of this was going on – there was no audition," he says.
"It must have been they wanted a guy who was of a certain height – short and stocky.
"I stumbled into it. It was very strange but I am really appreciative of them taking a chance."
A few days later, he watched Blood and Honey during the day with the curtains open.
"It's very gruesome but a fun film," he maintains. "I can see why people have become pretty obsessed."
But he reckons he is definitely more of a Winnie the Pooh fan than a horror film fan.
"I remember watching Winnie the Pooh a lot as a child and Piglet was one of my favourite characters," he recalls.
"When I took the role I had to separate the image of the little Piglet of my childhood from the new version of Piglet.
"You certainly don't want those video tapes mixing up!"
Filming took place in a "spooky" forest in southern England during 12-hour night shifts over a few weeks. It was a lean production with no time wasted but great fun, he says.
"The production team was incredible," he says. "The design was very gritty and intense.
"There was smoke, lights and lots of spookiness going on.
"When you are standing there in the middle of it with your prosthetics and costume on, it is easier to transform and take on that animalistic side."
Certainly, he is not unduly worried about possible threats from detractors.
"The reaction from people has been overwhelmingly positive," he says.
It is the biggest film break so far in a career first kindled by a teacher insisting he audition for the school pantomime The previously shy schoolboy discovered a talent for producing a big gruff voice and performing while he also started playing guitar in a band after seeing School of Rock.
Although he was a hard-working pupil, fifth year was a catastrophe as he struggled mostly with organisational things.
He was diagnosed with dyspraxia, a disorder which can cause problems with attention, memory and time management as well as coordination.
"It was good to know there was some reason and I was not just useless," Eddy says. "It also meant I started to get help."
After leaving school, he studied drama for two years at Inverness College, completing his course in the third year at Coatbridge before doing a two year radio course at the City of Glasgow College.
Before moving to Glasgow, he also performed at Eden Court Theatre in Starlight Musical Theatre's production of Jesus Christ Superstar, playing one of the disciples.
Two years ago, he appeared on a Channel 4 game show, I Literally Just Told You, hosted by comedian Jimmy Carr who made a blunder with the format.
Eddy was subsequently presented with £18,000 enabling him to give up his job as a Sainsbury's supermarket worker to focus full time on his diverse performing career.
He says the last three years have been extraordinary and as he mulls over his new film role almost with a sense of surprise, he says: "I am such a big fan of the cinema as an art form and now I am part of the cinematic world.
"I am buzzing. I am so glad they have included me and I would love to do more."
