Despite the fourth Hotel Transylvania movie originally being marketed as the final chapter, production is now underway for a fifth film in the animated franchise led by Adam Sandler. The series, which has amassed over $1.3 billion globally, has included four movies, a TV spinoff, and several short films. This new installment continues the saga that has captivated audiences worldwide.
Keegan-Michael Key Confirms Return as Murray the Mummy
Actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key revealed during a Variety interview at the Golden Globes that he will return to voice Murray the Mummy in Hotel Transylvania 5. Key is preparing to re-enter the recording studio to reprise this character role, officially confirming the project is moving forward.
Key detailed his approach to voicing animated characters, explaining how he develops unique vocal personas depending on the assignment. He described the creative process of tailoring voice work based on director requests—sometimes maintaining his natural speech patterns, while other times inventing entirely new voices. He highlighted the importance of seeing the character designs first, which guides his vocal choices.
“I’m about to start work on Hotel Transylvania 5. And I play Murray the Mummy. That’s a mouthful. You think I’d be able to say that, right?” Keegan-Michael Key
“Usually, if given the opportunity, I do a completely different voice. And I like that challenge. And there have been projects where I’ve had directors say to me, ‘I just want you, Keegan, I want your syntax, your vibe. That’s all I want.’ And other times they go, ‘Do you want to try something different?’ So working on Super Mario Brothers and working on Hotel Transylvania has always given me that opportunity to really mask it. So usually, to answer your first question, when I see the character, it’s kind of intuitive. It gives me something. I need to see the drawings or the renderings of the character and then I can get a sense of, are they high? Are they low? Are they scratchy? It’s kind of almost a sacred connection between me and the drawing.” Keegan-Michael Key
Changes in Voice Cast Through the Franchise
The character of Murray was originally voiced by CeeLo Green in the first Hotel Transylvania film but was subsequently recast with Keegan-Michael Key taking over for the sequels. Similarly, Adam Sandler voiced Count Dracula in the first three movies but was replaced by Brian Hull in the fourth, titled Hotel Transylvania: Transformania.
Franchise Growth and Box Office Performance
The debut Hotel Transylvania film released in 2012, earning $358 million worldwide and prompting Sony to invest in sequels. Despite receiving mixed critical reviews, the series found substantial commercial success. Hotel Transylvania 2 grossed $474 million, while Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation earned $528 million globally.
The latest movie, Hotel Transylvania: Transformania, deviated from the theatrical model due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was released directly on Prime Video in 2022. This shift marked a major change for the franchise’s distribution strategy.
Director’s Forecast and Sony’s Continued Commitment
Although Transformania was promoted as the concluding chapter, Genndy Tartakovsky—director of the first three films and co-writer of the fourth—forecasted more than a year ago that another sequel would likely be approved. Tartakovsky suggested Sony remains interested in continuing this lucrative series.
Future Prospects and Audience Anticipation
With voice recording already beginning, Hotel Transylvania 5 is poised to become the next major release in this franchise. It remains uncertain whether the fifth film will return to movie theaters or follow the streaming path established by its predecessor on Prime Video. Given the franchise’s ongoing popularity and financial success, a theatrical premiere seems probable, but viewers will need to watch for further announcements as production progresses.
