Escape Room: Tournament of Champions – Logan Miller Unveils Unseen Twists, Intense Filming, and the Road to ‘Escape Room 3’
The highly anticipated sequel, Escape Room: Tournament of Champions, plunged audiences back into the harrowing world of Minos, delivering a relentless series of ingenious and deadly puzzles. Just when viewers believed survivor Ben Miller was lost to the treacherous sand trap, he defied expectations, continuing his desperate fight for survival. Logan Miller, reprising his pivotal role as Ben, once again delivered a compelling performance, grounding the high-stakes horror-thriller with raw emotion and determination. Sharing the screen with returning star Taylor Russell as Zoey, alongside new faces like Holland Roden and Indya Moore, Miller helped navigate a new labyrinth designed to test even the most experienced escapees.
HollywoodLife recently had the exclusive opportunity to delve into the making of Escape Room: Tournament of Champions with Logan Miller himself. In a candid interview, Miller pulled back the curtain on some of the film’s most shocking twists, including alternative scenes that never made it to the final cut and the intense physical demands of filming. He offered insights into the uncertain fates of various characters, the unexpected return of fan favorites, and the enduring bond between Ben and Zoey. Looking ahead, Miller shared his vision for a potential Escape Room 3, hinting at a darker, more defiant path for the protagonists as they potentially go “full John McClane” against the enigmatic organization known as Minos.
Unraveling the Twists: Ben’s Survival and Unseen Scenes
One of the most heart-stopping moments in Escape Room: Tournament of Champions occurs when Ben seemingly vanishes into a sinkhole of quicksand, leading audiences to believe he has met a grim end. This powerful scene left many viewers on the edge of their seats, only for Ben to miraculously reappear later, having survived the ordeal. When asked about this pivotal twist, Logan Miller shed light on the film’s underlying theme of ambiguity and surprise.
“Well, kind of the theme that comes throughout all of the second one is, if you didn’t see it, it didn’t happen,” Miller explained. “There’s a couple of other situations where that happens, but every time that you don’t see something, you’re not sure if something has happened or not. And there’s always that element of surprise, and Minos keeps you guessing along the way.” This narrative device effectively amplifies the tension, making every character’s perceived demise a potential red herring. It forces the audience to constantly question reality within the deadly games orchestrated by Minos.
Interestingly, Ben’s post-sand trap experience was originally conceived very differently. Miller revealed, “What was funny too about what happens to Ben on the other side of the sand was a big question of what we were going to do. In fact, there was something shot that was completely different from what you actually see on the screen.” The initial concept for Ben’s fate was far more torturous and visually disturbing. “The first situation was Ben was thrown into a sauna. He was thrown into this torturous sauna that brought him to such extreme temperatures that his face and body were almost melting.” This chilling alternative certainly would have left a different impression, but ultimately, the filmmakers opted for a different form of torment. Miller noted, “But that doesn’t bode too well for the next chapter, so I think we retooled and finessed and decided an element of drowning would be more appropriate.” This decision not only provided a different type of visceral horror but also left more room for Ben’s continued journey in potential future installments, showcasing the iterative nature of filmmaking and storytelling in the horror genre.
The Lingering Question of Nathan’s Fate
Following the same “if you didn’t see it, it didn’t happen” logic, the fate of Nathan, another survivor, remains ambiguous at the end of the film. When probed about Nathan’s whereabouts and potential survival, Logan Miller offered a thoughtful response that further emphasizes Minos’s manipulative power. “Again, that’s open for interpretation. We’ll see what happens on the other side of it because, as you can tell now with these characters that might leave us, we don’t know what happens to them in the end.”
Miller speculated on Minos’s sinister motives for keeping characters’ fates uncertain. “Maybe Minos is using them as pawns and tools, and they’re using them as bait for maybe somebody else to come into these rooms and save their loved ones or bring somebody else that’s searching for them who’s smarter and more agile to challenge the game all the more.” This theory paints a chilling picture of Minos’s long-term strategy, suggesting that even perceived deaths could be part of a larger, more elaborate game designed to ensnare new victims or pressure existing ones. Despite the grim possibilities, Miller expressed a personal hope for the character’s return: “I hope and pray that Nathan comes back. He was a kind soul. He was a little bit of a drunk, but we all make our mistakes in life.” This blend of narrative ambiguity and genuine character sentiment keeps fans guessing and invested in the ongoing saga of the escape room survivors.
The Unexpected Return of Amanda Harper
One of the sequel’s most shocking revelations was the return of Deborah Ann Woll’s character, Amanda Harper, who was believed to have died in the original Escape Room film. Logan Miller confessed his own surprise at the twist. “I will say there was a completely different storyline when we were shooting this movie, and then we went into the edit, whatever was being told was not completely working for the test audiences that saw it.” This candid admission highlights the dynamic nature of movie production, especially for complex thrillers that rely heavily on audience engagement and satisfaction.
The team behind Escape Room: Tournament of Champions undertook significant revisions, including extensive reshoots. Miller detailed the challenging process: “So we put our minds together and, in the midst of the pandemic, everybody kind of collaborated to say what’s the best thing that we can do to make this chapter pop. We did this three-week reshoot in Budapest where we changed a lot of elements and bringing Deborah Ann Woll into it was one of those added elements that I think is really fun and great for the fans of the first one.” Amanda’s return not only provided a thrilling narrative turn but also deepened the lore of Minos, revealing their capacity for manipulation and control over past participants. “It’s great because we know she’s alive. However, she’s been manipulated and tortured into working for Minos. Everyone becomes kind of a lab rat, and at the end, we can’t take it anymore. We want to try to beat them at their own game, but that doesn’t quite happen on the plane.” This development raises the stakes significantly, showing that even those who survive can be enslaved, adding another layer of terror to the Minos organization’s reach.
The Heart of the Story: Ben and Zoey’s Evolving Relationship
At the emotional core of Escape Room: Tournament of Champions is the evolving relationship between Ben and Zoey. Their bond, forged in the fires of near-death experiences, is central to the narrative. Logan Miller reflected on their dynamic, acknowledging the deep connection they share. “I definitely think that Ben has a true love for Zoey in a friendship way but also potentially in a romantic way. We maybe explore that a little bit in the movie, but then it gets to a point where we get thrown into the lion’s den pretty rapidly, so there isn’t really much space to explore that.” The constant threat of Minos’s games leaves little room for conventional romance, yet the underlying affection and reliance are palpable.
Their shared trauma has created an unbreakable bond. “I think the good thing is their bond is very tight. When they were in the trenches together, they have that courtship of just knowing what to do in these certain circumstances. They have a bit of a shorthand if you will, and if they didn’t have each other, I think that it would actually lead to both of their demises. This duality is very important in the teamwork aspect of that.” Miller emphasized that their combined strengths and mutual support are essential for their survival in a world designed to break them. The interview concluded with a lighthearted jab about their future, “And, hey, if we get off that damn plane, what else is there to do than make out?” suggesting that once the immediate threat is neutralized, perhaps their relationship can finally blossom, a prospect many fans would undoubtedly cheer for.
Behind the Scenes: The Grueling Drowning Sequence
One of the most physically demanding scenes for Logan Miller in Escape Room: Tournament of Champions was undoubtedly the terrifying drowning sequence. He elaborated on the immense challenges involved in making it look authentic. “It’s really hard to fake drowning because the element of water is difficult for a CGI team, I’m sure, so they just decided to throw me in a big ass tank and just pumped me full of water. It’s hard to fake the water and then it’s hard to fake the drowning.” The commitment to practical effects over CGI for such a visceral scene speaks volumes about the filmmakers’ desire for realism.
Miller described the harrowing experience, emphasizing the physiological toll it took. “We took every safety precaution we could. But at the end of the day, I’m gasping for air, I’m making sure that I’m trying to survive while roaming through all of that. It does mess with your psyche in a way. I’d say that one was definitely the most torturous.” He highlighted the unsettling disconnect between his conscious knowledge of being on a film set and his body’s primal reactions. “I’ve told many people this: I know that I’m in a movie, but my body doesn’t know that I’m in a movie. My body was reacting the way that it would if it was in a situation of drowning. The adrenaline’s there, I feel like I’m losing my breath and stuff, and then once you get out of it, it’s just like pure exhaustion, muscles aching and stuff.” The sheer physical and psychological exhaustion from filming such an intense scene required considerable recovery. “Thank God that we had some nice massages afterward because my body desperately needed it.”
The dedication to portraying such extreme distress authentically left a lasting impact. When complimented on the difficulty of merely treading water for extended periods, Miller humorously quipped about the unexpected side effect of filming. “Hey, it helped me lose weight due to the stress and the survival. I mean, when I did the second one I think I lost like 10 pounds. This is a great exercise and diet for anybody — just get tortured for three months.” This lighthearted comment underscores the grueling nature of bringing a high-stakes horror film to life, where actors often push their physical and mental limits for the sake of realism.
The Horizon for Minos: Will There Be an ‘Escape Room 3’?
The climactic ending of Escape Room: Tournament of Champions deliberately leaves the door wide open for a third installment, igniting speculation among fans about the future of the franchise. Logan Miller addressed the possibility of an Escape Room 3 with a measured but hopeful tone, emphasizing the importance of audience reception. “Again, I think that we don’t want to put the cart before the horse because it’s a situation of we want to be there for the audience, but we’re not going to push something if people don’t respond well. We want to definitely see how people respond to the second one, and then we’ll have the conversation from there.” This approach ensures that any future films are driven by genuine demand and enthusiasm from the fan base, rather than simply being churned out.
Should an Escape Room 3 get the green light, Miller has a clear vision for Ben and Zoey’s trajectory: a radical shift from victims to vengeful antagonists against Minos. “I hope that once Ben and Zoey get themselves out of this plane situation that it’s no more Mr. Nice Guy. We’re so jaded and disgruntled that it’s time to go John McClane.” This “John McClane” ethos implies a transformation into proactive, relentless fighters, turning the tables on their tormentors. “They’ll probably go into a situation where they’re going to get some new people and some old blood maybe at the same time.” Miller even imagined himself deeply involved in the anti-Minos operation, “I want to be behind the scenes, and I want to be in those air vents saying ‘yippee-ki-yay motherf**ker’ and taking them down.” This exciting prospect of Ben and Zoey becoming active hunters of Minos, rather than just survivors, promises a fresh and thrilling direction for the horror-thriller franchise.
The Unbreakable Bond: Working Alongside Taylor Russell
The journey through two intense Escape Room films has forged an undeniable bond between Logan Miller and his co-star, Taylor Russell. He spoke effusively about their partnership and the camaraderie developed over countless harrowing scenes. “She’s one of the best partners to have in this crazy moment. She’s a very amazing professional, always on top of it, always willing to collaborate and talk through anything. That’s just made it all the more fun.” Their shared experiences of navigating the complex, terrifying sets and emotionally demanding roles have undoubtedly created a unique connection.
Miller reflected on the lasting impact of their collaboration: “We’ve got all of the war stories to tell now. We could step back and look at the craziness that is our careers and it’s great. Once you’ve done an Escape Room movie, it’s like a tattoo. It’s a bond. It’s something that you’ll always share together.” This analogy perfectly captures the indelible mark such a challenging and intense project leaves on those involved. He concluded by reiterating his high regard for Russell, “Taylor is the best one to have there as far as that partnership and making these movies.” Their on-screen chemistry and off-screen professional respect are a testament to the dedication required to bring the thrilling world of Escape Room to life for global audiences.