The Nightmare Before Christmas came out in the fall of 1993 and it has only grown in popularity since it’s initial release (which was actually kind of a dud). Now, the iconic cult Disney brand is about to get a new chapter according to a report from Gizmodo.
The sequel, coming in the form of a YA Novel from NYT best seller of The Wicked Deep and Winterwood, Shea Ernshaw, is set several years after the events of the film, and well into the marriage of Jack Skellington and Sally.
Here’s how Ernshaw described the book in a Q&A released by Disney:
“This new book, written from the point of view of Sally, takes place shortly after the movie ends. It’s the yet-to-be-told love story of Sally and Jack. But it’s also a coming-of-age story for Sally, as we see her navigate her new royal title as the Pumpkin Queen of Halloween Town. [It] will hopefully give fans a long-awaited second dose of Sally, Jack, and all the familiar residents of Halloween Town, while introducing a new cast of grim, strange characters, that I hope readers will love.”
While Nightmare gave us a peek into Jack’s struggle to understand his identity, Shea is hoping that this new book will give Sally the same opportunity.
“One of the core themes in The Nightmare Before Christmas was Jack’s struggle to understand his identity. He had grown tired of being the Pumpkin King, and in his longing for something more, he plotted to take over Christmas. In this book, I really wanted to explore Sally’s identity, and better understand not only who she is now that she’s fallen in love with Jack and taken on the role of the Pumpkin Queen, but also understand how her past has affected her present desires, doubts, and dreams.”
“What does a ragdoll truly want out of life? What is she afraid of? And how much is she willing to risk to save those she loves? As we will learn in the book, she’s willing to risk quite a lot. Sally is one of the most compelling, and also richly-layered characters I’ve ever written, and it’s an honor to get to tell her story.”
The untitled Nightmare Before Christmas Novel that we’d be willing to bet money will be called “The Pumpkin Queen,” is slated for a July 2022 release.