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Final Destination: Bloodlines’ emotional tribute to Tony Todd is as impactful as any death sequence

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Final Destination: Bloodlines spoilers follow.

Tony Todd may not have extensive screen time throughout the entire Final Destination franchise and hasn’t appeared in every movie, but he is just as closely associated with it as Robert Englund is with A Nightmare on Elm Street or Tobin Bell is with Saw.

The captivating portrayal of William Bludworth by Todd stands out as a brilliant demonstration of making much from little, as his charm radiates both reliability and a hint of foreboding. It’s astonishing to realize that he wasn’t initially the selected actor for this role, a fact Todd shared with Digital Spy in 2020.

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It’s unlikely that the poor quality of “The Final Destination” is merely a coincidence, given that it was the only film in the series where Todd didn’t contribute. (Bludworth was absent from “Final Destination 3”, but Todd provided a voice cameo as the Devil before the doomed rollercoaster Devil’s Flight.)

In the movies “Final Destination,” “Final Destination 2,” and “Final Destination 5,” characters who cheated death sought assistance from Bludworth in avoiding their predetermined deaths, but despite their efforts, they still met their demises. Due to his extensive knowledge of death and its relentless nature, many fans speculate that Bludworth might be the embodiment of Death or its earthly agent.

In “Final Destination: Bloodlines,” fans finally receive the long-awaited explanations they sought. Simultaneously, it serves as an emotional tribute to the late Tony Todd who passed away in November 2024. The film pays homage to his lasting impact on the series in a moving and significant manner, much like any intricate death sequence featured within the new movie.

At the start of the upcoming film, a prophetic vision shows Iris trying to save a young child as the Skyview Restaurant in 1968 accidentally detonates. However, in her vision, Iris and the boy are fated to be the last to perish, but since she manages to rescue everyone, this tragic outcome is averted.

1968’s survivors, including Iris and her family, have found themselves in a perilous situation, with Death targeting them due to their survival. This is because they should never have lived, as Death has taken issue with their existence. However, when Iris voluntarily sacrifices herself to demonstrate the truth about Death to her granddaughter Stefani, this changes everything.

As the inevitable unfolds and my loved ones are left grappling with the concept of mortality, they’re drawn to seek ways to outsmart Death. This quest eventually brings them face-to-face with a peculiar figure named Bludworth. He confides that he was the boy Iris miraculously rescued in 1968, and since she defied Death for so long, he too managed to survive. Over the years, they’ve maintained a connection, with Iris generously passing on all her wisdom about Death and its intricate workings.

In a subtle manner, the explanation provided sheds light on Bludworth’s profound understanding of Death without resorting to the less refined notions of him being Death or employed by Death. Since Iris is no longer here, Bludworth acknowledges that his time is up and confides that he has been battling a terminal illness: “This time, there’s nowhere to run.

In a similar scenario, the film “Final Destination: Bloodlines” signified Todd’s last screen appearance, and his parting lines were particularly poignant. Following his customary enigmatic guidance to evade Death, Bludworth offers some additional, unforeseen words of insight for the survivors.

He advises them, encouragingly saying, “Life is valuable; savor each moment since you never can predict when your moment will arrive, and I wish you the best of luck.

If it seems as though Bludworth is addressing you personally from the stage, there’s a deliberate intention behind it.

Producer Craig Perry disclosed to Deadline that Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, our directors, cleverly chose to modify the final couple of lines from the script and ask Tony instead, “Tony, could you share whatever message you’d like to convey to the fans? What thoughts would you like to share with them at this moment?

What truly touched our hearts in that scene was its authenticity, as it was Tony directly addressing his long-time fans through the camera, a heartfelt moment that added a touch of magic on set. This was a profound encounter, one which left an indelible mark on us all and will stay with me until my last breath.

This moment is skillfully executed and serves as an emotional salute to Todd, an actor whose impact extended beyond just “Final Destination” enthusiasts into the broader horror community. Showing Bludworth’s demise would have been in poor taste and insensitive, a move more characteristic of lower-budget productions.

Rather than implying otherwise, it’s clear that the creators of Final Destination: Bloodlines are just as passionate about the franchise as its viewers. The most unexpected aspect of this latest installment? It manages to elicit tears alongside those shocking deaths.

Later, the film’s end credits acknowledge it as a tribute to Tony Todd. If you feel moved to applaud at this point, it would be a small gesture of the recognition and appreciation he truly deserves.

Final Destination: Bloodlines is out now in cinemas.

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2025-05-16 14:49

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