It’s been two years since scribes Daniel & Kevin Hageman climbed aboard the Guillermo del Toro-produced adaptation of Alvin Schwartz’s best-selling children’s book triad, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, but the long wait appears to have not been in vain.
Earlier today, Deadline reported that Entertainment One (eOne) and CBS Films would co-finance the André Øvredal-directed feature, with principal photography expected to get underway in Toronto this summer.
Producing alongside del Toro is Sean Daniel (Everybody Wants Some!!), Jason F. Brown (Ben-Hur), Elizabeth Grave and J. Miles Dale, who also served on Guillermo’s Best Picture-winning, The Shape of Water. The fantasy drama received thirteen Oscar nominations at the 90th Academy Awards, also winning the titular filmmaker Best Director and illustrious composer Alexandre Desplat Best Original Score.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark shadows a group of young teens as they try to solve the mystery surrounding sudden and macabre deaths in their small town. Author Alvin Schwartz researched extensively for the novel, too, drawing heavily from urban legends and folklore and spending more than a year compiling each book.
“Led by the incomparable Guillermo del Toro, [Scary Stories to tell in the Dark] is such a chillingly fun ride that it’s sure to leave audiences around the world jumping in their seats,” said Steve Bertram, eOne’s president.
CBS Films will distribute scary Stories to Tell in the Dark through Lionsgate in the United States, while Entertainment One will administer the release in Canada, UK and Australia/New Zealand, with Sierra/Affinity overseeing sales in all remaining international territories. As soon as we hear more, we’ll be sure to let you know.