I start development on a film based on a favorite book of youth: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark! pic.twitter.com/yu31FkCz4K
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) January 14, 2016
First PACIFIC RIM 2 was off. Then Guillermo Del Toro was linked to Fox’s FANTASTIC VOYAGE remake. Then, following the sale of Legendary to Wanda, PACIFIC RIM 2 wasn’t off anymore. Now, GDT’s jumping into development on another project: the adaptation of Alvin Schwartz’ SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK.
This project’s been in development for a couple years now, but it seems that Del Toro is taking over from previously-attached Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunston. He’s not a lock to direct, but he’s actively developing the project, and will probably helm if the details/scheduling can be worked out.
You only need to take a cursory look at the illustrations, directly evocative of his recent CRIMSON PEAK, to see why Guillermo would be a no-brainer. This type of gothic horror is his bread and butter, and Schwartz’s spooky-ass stories that freaked us out growing up could only benefit from the director’s lavish, expressive visual style.
The current script is by John August, who isn’t necessarily an ace at horror (his Burton jams are more comedies than anything else), but things are early, so I’d expect Del Toro to put his stamp on it. If nothing else, the design work on this thing should be to die for (*cue maniacal laughter).
I just hope they come up with a better, cleverer way to link the stories together than last year’s GOOSEBUMPS. Maybe just do it as a straight anthology flick?
