When Hallmark Channel announced that the third film in Lacey Chabert’s “Haul Out the Holly” franchise would be about Halloween instead of Christmas, fans of the spooky holiday cheered. However, upon realizing that “Halloweentown” actors Kimberly J. Brown and husband Daniel Kountz would also be in the film, that joy turned to an ecstatic shriek.
“Bring on the Fall!!!🎃🎃🎃 CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!” one fan excitedly commented. “Halloweentown is one of my favorite Halloween movie series. (I actually start watching it in August!) Combining that with my new obsession, Haul Out the Holly. That is a winning combination!! (PS Pamela is my favorite character)”
For Brown, starring in “Haul Out the Halloween” alongside her husband and best friend was a perfect fit. “It couldn’t have checked off any more boxes of a dream scenario,” she told Today. Brown opened up about her excitement for the film and her feelings about the legacy of “Halloweentown.”
Filming With Husband and Best Friend Was a ‘Blessing’
“In one of our first scenes, standing across Lacey and next to Daniel, I had this kind of pinch me moment,” the “Crossword Mysteries: Proposing Murder” Kimberly J. Brown recalled. “What a dream (and) blessing of a job to be able to act across my best friend and then act next to my husband. And we all got to do it together and laugh and have fun.”
Brown and Kountz met while filming “Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge.” In a joint interview with “E! News,” they explained that when they reconnected 15 years later, they both felt sparks.
Brown previously revealed on Facebook that she and Chabert go way back, having met when she was eight and Chabert was ten on the set of Broadway’s “Les Misérables.” Chabert also served as a bridesmaid at Brown and Kountz’s wedding.
Kimberly J. Brown Open to Reprising Iconic Role as Marnie Piper
While it’s been 27 years since fans were introduced to witch-in-training Marnie Piper, love for the franchise has grown over the years. Brown starred in the first three films and remains open to reprising the role in future projects.
“I am totally down to do another one,” she said. “Disney knows I’m down to do another one, so the ball’s in their court. The fans pitch me storylines and all kinds of things. So yes, we would all love to get back together and do another one,” she says.
Brown believes the franchise has grown in popularity because it’s “relatable.” “When I was filming the first ‘Halloweentown,’ I was 13, and I was also trying to figure out who I was, just like Marnie was,” she admitted.
“Haul Out the Halloween” will premiere on the Hallmark Channel on October 11, while the “Halloweentown” films are also available on Disney+.
