Josh Hutcherson, promoting the second installment of the Five Nights at Freddy's film franchise, exhibits a remarkable sense of contentment and ease despite a lifelong career in Hollywood. Having acted consistently since the age of eight, Hutcherson is accustomed to the demands of press, yet maintains a refreshing vulnerability and candor, which he attributes to surviving years of intense fame, particularly from The Hunger Games franchise.

The actor delves into his involvement with Five Nights at Freddy's 2 (or "Fuh-naff," as he now easily pronounces it), admitting he initially underestimated the vast lore and passionate fandom of the online horror survival game. The game, known for its jump scares, features security guard Mike Schmidt (played by Hutcherson) battling murderous animatronics at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria.

Hutcherson explains that his decision to join the project, despite the potential for renewed intense public attention, was based purely on his excitement for the films, director Emma Tammi, and Blumhouse Productions. The first Five Nights at Freddy's film defied expectations, grossing a staggering $291 million worldwide on a modest $20 million budget, a success only truly anticipated by Blumhouse founder Jason Blum, who spent a decade securing the franchise rights.

In his role as Mike, the protector of his younger sister Abby (Piper Rubio), Hutcherson found a meaningful connection, recalling how older actors treated him with respect as a child and striving to replicate that supportive environment for Rubio. The sequel benefited from a larger budget of $51 million and a familiar set environment. It sees the return of Elizabeth Lail’s Vanessa and the villainous William Afton (Matthew Lillard), with newcomers McKenna Grace and Skeet Ulrich joining the cast. Ulrich’s presence even led to a small Scream reunion on set.

For character preparation, Hutcherson deliberately avoided diving into the extensive game lore, choosing instead to base his portrayal of Mike solely on the scripts, discussions with Tammi, and game creator Scott Cawthon. He also candidly addressed criticisms of the first film, admitting it "should’ve been scarier" and that he sometimes struggles with the "weird and illogical" nature of the FNAF world, learning to "lean into the weirdness" and embrace the numerous Easter eggs for fans.

The conversation then shifts to Hutcherson's extraordinary beginning in the industry. As a nine-year-old in Kentucky with no Hollywood connections, he took matters into his own hands, calling an agency himself. His parents, initially skeptical and hoping it was a phase, eventually supported his ambition after an acting coach convinced them of his potential. This led to Hutcherson and his mother moving to California, where he quickly found success, booking roles instantly at the famed Oakwood Apartments.

A significant influence on his perspective was his eccentric grandfather, who taught him to "always question everything" and challenge norms. This philosophy, coupled with his parents' encouragement of curiosity, shaped Hutcherson's worldview.

His early career was marked by consistent success, with notable roles in films like The Polar Express (2004), Kicking & Screaming (2005), Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005), and Little Manhattan (2005). While this rapid rise was "incredible," he recognized it was also "dangerous" as he didn't learn to handle rejection early on. On the set of Zathura, director Jon Favreau fostered Hutcherson's budding interest in directing, encouraging him to shoot behind-the-scenes footage and imparting the importance of never losing one's childlike curiosity.

Hutcherson's emotional depth as a young actor was evident in roles like Walter in Zathura and Jesse in Bridge to Terabithia (2007), a film he considers impactful due to its surprising twists and his nuanced performance. His role in Lisa Cholodenko’s 2010 dramedy The Kids Are All Right, where he worked alongside Annette Bening and Julianne Moore, was a pivotal moment. Despite initial nervousness and a humorous misunderstanding of the film's comedic tone, Hutcherson learned valuable lessons, including from Moore who confessed to feeling insecure about her acting, a sentiment that resonated deeply with him.

The discussion inevitably turns to The Hunger Games, a franchise that propelled Hutcherson, Jennifer Lawrence, and Liam Hemsworth to a different echelon of fame. While he cherishes his friendship with Lawrence, he openly admits to having "a hundred percent" resented the intense fame and attention that came with playing Peeta Mellark. The constant spotlight made it difficult to leave his house, leading to thoughts of "fuck this industry."

Following The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2, Hutcherson faced a period of professional drought, experiencing rejection for the first time in his late twenties. However, this period also led him to the sci-fi comedy series Future Man from Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, which reinvigorated his love for improv and offered an environment of boundless comedic creativity. He also credits Robin Williams, whom he worked with on 2006's RV, with teaching him the joy of being silly and embracing his inner "clown."

His passion for filmmaking led to his directorial debut with the short film Ape. Hutcherson finds directing more satisfying than acting, expressing a strong desire to explore more directorial opportunities.

Currently, Hutcherson is enjoying projects like I Love LA, an HBO comedy series created by Rachel Sennott, where he plays the grounded character, Dylan. He admires Sennott's fearless and truthful voice and is thrilled the series was renewed for a second season. His future aspirations include a third Five Nights at Freddy's movie, another season of I Love LA, directing more, and an upcoming film. He also reflects on founding the LGBTQ+ support organization Straight But Not Narrow in his late teens, an initiative he felt was important even before knowing his brother was gay.

Ultimately, Hutcherson prioritizes living a life outside of Hollywood to "refill my tank of emotions," a sentiment that reflects his profound understanding of well-being gained from his unique experiences in the industry. Five Nights at Freddy's 2 is set to release on December 5.